I realize most of you can't drop everything and jet over to Paris, but if you happen to be there already I would love to meet you! Feb 6th at 6:30 For more info RSVP at rmkatsaros@yahoo.com
Now about that mystery man mentioned in today's title. I need your help to tell his story! So please read today's column and let me know how I may improve it!
First, today's word. Forgive the simplicity and obviousness of it, but often what is easy on the eye is exquisitely complex inside.
une plante (plahnt)
: plant
Audio File: Download M3 or Wave file and hear our son, Max, read the following sentence
Qu’est-ce donc qu’une mauvaise herbe, sinon une plante dont on n’a pas encore découvert les vertus ? What is, therefore, a weed, if not a plant for which we still haven't discovered its virtues. Ralph Waldo Emerson
A Day in a FRENCH Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Thank you for responding to my note about the recent setback in my book project. I heeded your words, took a breather and let my book angels Erin and Tamara work their magic. With the wave of a wand, Erin ordered me to shoo!, or allez zou!, while she and Tami got to work: "Go turn on some Bob Marley…” Erin ordered, via email, adding with a smiley face, "Don’t worry…bout a thing…cause every little ting…is gonna be alright…” : )
Now that the book angels had my back once again, I was free to consider a needed addition to the manuscript: attribution!
Heavens! The book might have gone to print and you wouldn't even know who the model was on the cover! This wasn't the only pépin, or glitch to my book release. I still needed ask my accidental model for permission to use his photo. My sneaky picture-cropping gesture, designed to protect his privacy, had its glaring weaknesses: that plant for one, a dead giveaway! Though some of you–during the book cover vote–mistook it for a stack of letters (interesting how the painted mailbox, located center picture, played tricks on your minds!) the plant was an obvious clue-in as to who is the well-known village figure on the cover.
To understand why, I'll need to take you back to the summer I moved to Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes. My husband was embarking on his wine adventure, having found 9 hectares of vines to tend. As Jean-Marc set about discovering the terroir, I discovered our new village.
The Plant Man
It was at the Saturday farmers market that I first laid eyes on Monsieur Farjon. I was mesmerized. There he was, two, three fruit stands away from me–standing at the head of the outdoor produce aisle chatting with a farmer.
Looking at this photo today I smile, shaking my head seeing that even then he was handing out plants to the locals, expounding on (just look at his passionate gestures!) the organic treasures that could be found along the gutter or in the weedy field relegated to the electric company or beside the busy roadway leading into Sainte Cécile. Sadly, most of the villagers regarded him as an eccentric.
This made the man all the more endearing in my eyes. Almost as attractive as that bike! If there are two things in this world I love it is antique bicycles and strong French characters. But a new realm was soon to open up to me and with it, a third thing in this world to love: plants!
I did not approach Mr Farjon there at the market that day. I quickly snapped his photo and hurried off, lest he chase me down with that splendid vehicle and confiscate my camera!
Meantime–without ever having known whose photo it was I had taken–a spell had come over me. I began to notice leafy things. Specifically I developed an obsession for a certain pink (and sometimes white) wildflower growing in the most unexpected places: jutting vertically out of rock walls and coming up through cracks in the pavement. Could it be a weed? What a gorgeous mauvaise herbe at that! It would be perfect in my garden, which was currently a pile of rocks. If that plant could push through concrete, it could populate my barren yard!
One day while driving home from Bollène, I saw the weed-flower growing beside a telephone pole. At the same moment, I saw a farmer walking along the road. Chances are that guy would have information about the plant! I thought, running my car off the road and hurrying up to the stranger.
Serendipitous meeting
"That guy" turned out to be Robert Farjon. Not only had I stumbled onto the man I'd seen at the market, but I was about to learn, over the course of the next year, the extent of one man's knowledge of the Provençal plant kingdom–beginning with le lilas d'Espagne.
"Lily of Spain. That's just it's common name," Monsieur Farjon explained. "It's officially known as valerian."
Our brief encounter led to a surprise visit, when Mr Farjon rode his bike to our vineyard, a good dozen or two farm fields from the village. His bike's saddlebags were bursting with my next lesson: euphorbia, prêle, and "love in a cage" among others. Monsieur Farjon passed me a leafy bundle, as though handing over a delicate newborn, and so transmitted his instinct to protect and to revere les plantes.
Those weekly (Tuesday) lessons–or "Mardis avec Mr Farjon"–lasted three seasons: spring, summer, fall. It was cold and windy the next to last time Mr Farjon rode his bike from Sainte Cécile all the way out to our farm. But we still saw each other, often crossing paths in the village. He always had a leafy example tucked in his pocket or hat band or in those saddlebags. He was ever prepared to share about plants.
No matter how rushed I always lended my ear, listening closely as he stuttered the name of the species in question shar-shar-shar-don mah-ree (chardon marie or "milk thistle"). His slight bégaiement only made him more endearing, and it was an exercise in French to coax those botanical words out of his mouth.
As I turn this book over and look at the photo on the back, I'm reminded of one of our last encounters. I can't quite identify the flower he is holding (les immortelles?), for that day I was more focused on the beholder. Just how many more chance meetings would there be?
Soonafter we decided to move, and my last visit with Mr Farjon mirrored the first. There he was on the side of the road, near a patch of wild dents de lion. I ran my car off the road and hurried across the street, feeling as scattered as a dandelion seed.
"Mr Farjon. I'm moving. It's been such a pleasure to know you…" At loss for a meaningful way to say goodbye, I reached down and gently plucked what some would regard as a pesky weed.
Handing Monsieur the vibrant yellow flower that's strong enough to break free through concrete, I listened as he broke my heart.
"Adieu," Mr Farjon said with simplicity and with warmth.
See you in heaven? So that was it? Did he not wish to see me again–or was he only being a realist (riding his bike from the village to our farm was one thing, but riding all the way to Mediterrannean sea…. No, not a possibility).
After we moved to "appelation Bandol" Jean-Marc began another vineyard and I focused on my writing, collecting together stories from our time in Les Arcs (before we moved to Ste Cécile). When it came time to design a book cover, I stumbled once again across Mr Farjon–this time in my photo archives.
No, I couldn't use his picture… or if I did I'd have to ask. That meant I would have to contact him–Mr See You in Heaven! But what if he was already in heaven?…
No, I didn't want to find out. Then, one morning last week I got up the courage to call his niece at her vineyard. This time I was the one stuttering.
"Je… je… je voudrais utiliser l'image de votre oncle…."
Mireille said she would pass along the message and get back with me. A few days after that I received this letter by email:
Bonjour, Kristi
Je viens de voir Robert ce matin et je lui ai montré ton projet. Il est tout à fait d'accord pour que tu imprimes sa photo. Il garde un très bon souvenir de ton passage à Ste Cécile. Il m'a dit qu'il avait réalisé une centaine de fiches botaniques et qu'il les avait déposé à l'Espace Culturel de Ste Cécile.
A très bientôt Mireille
Hello Kristi
Just saw Robert this morning and I showed him your project. He is entirely OK with your printing his photo. He holds a wonderful memory of your stay in Sainte Cécile. He told me he has written a hundred or so botanical papers and dropped them off at the cultural center in Sainte Cécile.
See you soon,
Mireille
I, too, hold a wonderful memory of Monsieur Farjon and I look forward to sharing more with you in the follow up to this book: the story of our passage in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes…. As Mireille says, à bientôt!
Leave a comment here.
Please let me know if all–or a part of today's column–would fit at the end of my book, in a chapter titled "A Note About this Book's Cover." Also, let me know here in the comments how you like the back cover of the book, which will look very much like the yellow and blue sample above. Many thanks!
Monsieur Farjon visited me at a book signing I did in Sainte Cécile. He brought along two bagfuls of just picked plants. As book sales were as slow as a snail's pace, we spent the time studying acanthus, milkweed and lunaria while the bookworms filed by my stand.
Two places to stay in the South of France:
“La Trouvaille”–a true find in Provence! Affordable vacation rental in this beautiful old stone house in the charming village of Sablet.
New rental in Provence! La Baume des Pelerins, in Sablet–spacious, comfortable the perfect place to return to after a busy day’s sightseeing, bicycling or hiking.
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I love your pictures and this very touching story. Thank you. Wish I could see you in Paris!
I love your pictures and this very touching story. Thank you. Wish I could see you in Paris!
Kristin:
I particularly liked the first part of your post about your initial meeting with the “plant man” and think it’s an excellent idea to include that or all of your musing about M.Farjon.
Bon chance in Paris!
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
I particularly liked the first part of your post about your initial meeting with the “plant man” and think it’s an excellent idea to include that or all of your musing about M.Farjon.
Bon chance in Paris!
Edie from Savannah
What a lovely story Kristin. M Farjon is a wonderful example of the French love for horticulture, trees and plants. They are a nation of horticulturists. Love and respect for their landscape shows so clearly when one travels through France. Although almost entirely modified by horticultural activities France is still really beautiful after thousands of years of good husbandry. Salut M Farjon! From South Africa.
What a lovely story Kristin. M Farjon is a wonderful example of the French love for horticulture, trees and plants. They are a nation of horticulturists. Love and respect for their landscape shows so clearly when one travels through France. Although almost entirely modified by horticultural activities France is still really beautiful after thousands of years of good husbandry. Salut M Farjon! From South Africa.
Endearing, indeed, Kristin. Mr Farjon and
your story! It reminds me of a greeting card by Flavia Weedn: “Some people come into our
lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
Endearing, indeed, Kristin. Mr Farjon and
your story! It reminds me of a greeting card by Flavia Weedn: “Some people come into our
lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
What a darling man, and what a story to unleash the mystery of your cover. By the way I’m so delighted you are using this photo! I agree by adding the story to the book, there’s a lead right to the sequel. Really enjoyed reading about your inspiration from meeting him.
Your photos of your gardens and activities surrounding them are wonderful and motivating for us out here too. Today’s blog story seems to provide more intricacies of your experiences surrounding the connection with plants. All those connects with others and relationships communicate the heart. Thank you Kristin.
What a darling man, and what a story to unleash the mystery of your cover. By the way I’m so delighted you are using this photo! I agree by adding the story to the book, there’s a lead right to the sequel. Really enjoyed reading about your inspiration from meeting him.
Your photos of your gardens and activities surrounding them are wonderful and motivating for us out here too. Today’s blog story seems to provide more intricacies of your experiences surrounding the connection with plants. All those connects with others and relationships communicate the heart. Thank you Kristin.
What a wonderful stry, and I love the cover, it’s full of warmth and character. I hope it goes really well. I wish I was in aparis to visit you atnd Ann at the signing, alas I am Downunder where there are a myriad of weeds in the cracks of concrete and at every old electricity station frontage 🙂
What a wonderful stry, and I love the cover, it’s full of warmth and character. I hope it goes really well. I wish I was in aparis to visit you atnd Ann at the signing, alas I am Downunder where there are a myriad of weeds in the cracks of concrete and at every old electricity station frontage 🙂
Love the story and the photos. Please do include them in your book. What a lovely man and how nice for you two to have formed a friendship. Great front and back covers! Keep up the good work, Kristin. And how I wish I were going to be in Paris for your book signing.
Priscilla in La Nouvelle Orleans
Love the story and the photos. Please do include them in your book. What a lovely man and how nice for you two to have formed a friendship. Great front and back covers! Keep up the good work, Kristin. And how I wish I were going to be in Paris for your book signing.
Priscilla in La Nouvelle Orleans
When I see Mr Farjon with a twinkle in his eye, I smile and wish I could meet him. I just love the beautiful story and it will be a wonderful chapter in your book. What a wonderful memory.
When I see Mr Farjon with a twinkle in his eye, I smile and wish I could meet him. I just love the beautiful story and it will be a wonderful chapter in your book. What a wonderful memory.
Definitely use the story! That is exactly the kind of stories I love to read! As for the picture, in my opinion it needs a little work: I don’t like the white margins; I find it unbalanced- you should crop a lot from the left side; it’s a shame you are all dressed up in a gaily colored dress, which contrasts muchly with M Farjon’s attire (but then it does make kind of a philosophical statement). By the way, totally unrelated: if you don’t show a picture of Braise/Smokey frequently, I start to worry! Please!
Definitely use the story! That is exactly the kind of stories I love to read! As for the picture, in my opinion it needs a little work: I don’t like the white margins; I find it unbalanced- you should crop a lot from the left side; it’s a shame you are all dressed up in a gaily colored dress, which contrasts muchly with M Farjon’s attire (but then it does make kind of a philosophical statement). By the way, totally unrelated: if you don’t show a picture of Braise/Smokey frequently, I start to worry! Please!
Endearing indeed, Kristin! Mr Farjon and your story. It reminds me of my favorite Flavia greeting card: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people stay for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same.”
Endearing indeed, Kristin! Mr Farjon and your story. It reminds me of my favorite Flavia greeting card: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people stay for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same.”
I think it would be very interesting to include this story about M. Farjon and how he contributed to your book. I love the back cover with both of you!
I think it would be very interesting to include this story about M. Farjon and how he contributed to your book. I love the back cover with both of you!
Yes, please add his story to your book. And I love the picture on the back as well.
Birdie
Yes, please add his story to your book. And I love the picture on the back as well.
Birdie
Great story and photo. Thanks.
Won’t be in town until 21 Feb … how disappointing for me.
Hope it’s a huge success.
Ronni
Great story and photo. Thanks.
Won’t be in town until 21 Feb … how disappointing for me.
Hope it’s a huge success.
Ronni
Perfect.
Perfect.
Kristin how beautifully you tell the story of Mr Farjon and his plants, and above all the joy he has provided in your life with his knowledge of theflowers you have around you. Because I also was intrigued with the wild flowers I encountered when wandering the fields and by-ways of France when seeking suitable subjects for my paintings, I have memories worth all the treasure in the world, thank you, I so love your stories
I am sure you will choose the the correct picture for your cover whatever it is.
June, Gold Coast Qld
Kristin how beautifully you tell the story of Mr Farjon and his plants, and above all the joy he has provided in your life with his knowledge of theflowers you have around you. Because I also was intrigued with the wild flowers I encountered when wandering the fields and by-ways of France when seeking suitable subjects for my paintings, I have memories worth all the treasure in the world, thank you, I so love your stories
I am sure you will choose the the correct picture for your cover whatever it is.
June, Gold Coast Qld
After all of these favorable comments and “aye” votes, I’m certain that you will include the story of M. Farjon as a chapter in your beautiful new book. Congratulations! The cover is wonderful with the blues of the side bag on Monsieur’s bicycle; the blue shirt and trousers ;the blue writing on the post box……all making us think of France. And then you solve the mystery with the totally charming photo of you and M. Farjon on the back cover. Nothing could be more perfect. Have a wonderful book signing. Best regards.
After all of these favorable comments and “aye” votes, I’m certain that you will include the story of M. Farjon as a chapter in your beautiful new book. Congratulations! The cover is wonderful with the blues of the side bag on Monsieur’s bicycle; the blue shirt and trousers ;the blue writing on the post box……all making us think of France. And then you solve the mystery with the totally charming photo of you and M. Farjon on the back cover. Nothing could be more perfect. Have a wonderful book signing. Best regards.
What a lovely character Kristin . You must include this in your book . These wonderful village characters need to be preserved. We had them in my village & sadly now most have gone . We had a M. Garel (92 years old), who insisted on helping take nails out of the old shutters from our barn when we were restauring it to make our home. Then there was M.Gispert, who had come over the Pyrénées during the Spanish Civil War, had been a barber & was a terrible flirt !! Such rich characters . I miss them so.
Trust you have a great book signing,
Audrey
What a lovely character Kristin . You must include this in your book . These wonderful village characters need to be preserved. We had them in my village & sadly now most have gone . We had a M. Garel (92 years old), who insisted on helping take nails out of the old shutters from our barn when we were restauring it to make our home. Then there was M.Gispert, who had come over the Pyrénées during the Spanish Civil War, had been a barber & was a terrible flirt !! Such rich characters . I miss them so.
Trust you have a great book signing,
Audrey
Adieu, oh my god! What a spécial store & to have Côme a cross such a déar gentleman . I had tears when reading this story today. I think it would be very important to share such a wonderful tréasure.
Adieu, oh my god! What a spécial store & to have Côme a cross such a déar gentleman . I had tears when reading this story today. I think it would be very important to share such a wonderful tréasure.
You are lucky to meet such a rural expert, who knows his plants from a long life of learning them. It is the best way to learn about plants, from someone who knows them personally. The Story of the Cover, very interesting indeed.
The story is sweet to read. Some other reader/commenter thought it could be a little shorter, and I agree with that, if it is to be the Story of the Cover. That is, be a bit shorter than the other stories in the book?
You are lucky to meet such a rural expert, who knows his plants from a long life of learning them. It is the best way to learn about plants, from someone who knows them personally. The Story of the Cover, very interesting indeed.
The story is sweet to read. Some other reader/commenter thought it could be a little shorter, and I agree with that, if it is to be the Story of the Cover. That is, be a bit shorter than the other stories in the book?
Dear Kristen,
Wow, I love simplicities in life brought about by the Mr. F’s of the world. These gentle ones teach us so much about caring, sharing, patience, and love. It always seems so cliche, but you don’t meet special people like him everyday. Some how they transforms in those lessons, whether daily, weekly or yearly. I know that you know to consider yourself more than lucky for meeting him. Now your job is to be the messenger of his message. In my case, “he” is a “she” and I love her. If I were putting my thought onto paper and needed a final chapter in my book–you bet it would be her and even better a captured picture together. She is so rich in spirit, aging gracefully, and very content because they understand what we don’t yet and its beyond weeds.
Janine Burge
Dear Kristen,
Wow, I love simplicities in life brought about by the Mr. F’s of the world. These gentle ones teach us so much about caring, sharing, patience, and love. It always seems so cliche, but you don’t meet special people like him everyday. Some how they transforms in those lessons, whether daily, weekly or yearly. I know that you know to consider yourself more than lucky for meeting him. Now your job is to be the messenger of his message. In my case, “he” is a “she” and I love her. If I were putting my thought onto paper and needed a final chapter in my book–you bet it would be her and even better a captured picture together. She is so rich in spirit, aging gracefully, and very content because they understand what we don’t yet and its beyond weeds.
Janine Burge
Kristi, love the story and the new book. All the previous comments mirror my own thoughts so I won’t repeat it all. I will say that I definitely like Jeanne’s idea of a new book featuring M. Farjon, his flowers and plants, anecdotal stories, watercolor pictures, etc. it would make a beautiful “coffee table” reference book! Looking forward to getting a copy of your Essais soon!
Kristi, love the story and the new book. All the previous comments mirror my own thoughts so I won’t repeat it all. I will say that I definitely like Jeanne’s idea of a new book featuring M. Farjon, his flowers and plants, anecdotal stories, watercolor pictures, etc. it would make a beautiful “coffee table” reference book! Looking forward to getting a copy of your Essais soon!
I come in at the tail end of the voting here, but concur in it all. I did want to make a comment related to the Ste Cécile market where you met M Farjon. I’ve frequently visited many of the well-known markets in Provence, but must say I like the modest one in Ste Cécile the best. It’s on a more human scale, seems primarily populated by the local people, and is a lovely place to be. I’ll be back!
I come in at the tail end of the voting here, but concur in it all. I did want to make a comment related to the Ste Cécile market where you met M Farjon. I’ve frequently visited many of the well-known markets in Provence, but must say I like the modest one in Ste Cécile the best. It’s on a more human scale, seems primarily populated by the local people, and is a lovely place to be. I’ll be back!
What a lovely encounter and friendship. Please do include it in the book and the picture is so charming. I hope you use it as well. I wish to run into a M Farjon in San Antonio. Enjoy your weekend.
What a lovely encounter and friendship. Please do include it in the book and the picture is so charming. I hope you use it as well. I wish to run into a M Farjon in San Antonio. Enjoy your weekend.
You must absolument include the story. I am so jealous of your time with him for you see I am a paleoethnobotanist and always extremely interested in what people have to say about plants who are knowledgeable and above all, passionate about them.
You must absolument include the story. I am so jealous of your time with him for you see I am a paleoethnobotanist and always extremely interested in what people have to say about plants who are knowledgeable and above all, passionate about them.
Hi Kristin,
Would love to be able to jet over to Paris to see and meet you and Ann. Alas, it is not in the cards, but I wish you and Ann all good wishes!
Love the book cover and back, and by all means, do include the story of M Farjon. It is all very touching and heart warming!
Hi Kristin,
Would love to be able to jet over to Paris to see and meet you and Ann. Alas, it is not in the cards, but I wish you and Ann all good wishes!
Love the book cover and back, and by all means, do include the story of M Farjon. It is all very touching and heart warming!