It's time to meet up at my place–or very near it! Since leaving Domaine Rouge-Bleu, where we welcomed visitors weekly, I have not organized a cozy get-together. How about an April rendez-vous? More details in the story column below… First, the expression of the day:
Manger la soupe sur la tête de quelqu’un
: to be taller than someone else, so tall you can "eat soup on their head"
Example Sentence
Today's colorful expression was given to me by my friend Sophie, after she saw my 18-year-old for the first time in a year: Here's what Sophie said:
Max! Qu'est-ce que t'as grandi! Tu peux manger la soupe sur la tête de Martin!
Max! You are so tall now! You could eat soup on Martin's head! (Martin is Sophie's 20-year-old).
A Day in a FRENCH Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Sunday's hike along the turquoise coast spring-cleaned my soul! And it got me thinking: why not plan another meet-up? This time with readers!
The little fishing village of La Madrague (a stone's throw east of Cassis) is a real bijou. I love the classic pointu fishing boats, the knotted filets de pêche drying along les pannes, or landings, the line-up of cafés and the sun-dried characters that seem to live there.
But where exactly? Just which wobbly personnage goes with which wobbly boat?
As I zigzag along the quai, imagination in full swing, the heart of me longs to know every seaworthy soul! On second thought, let me look that one up and see if it's really what I mean:
seaworthy (adjective): Fit to traverse the seas
Fit? Ah là là, non! That would leave out the most important travelers: the misfits!
What use is life's voyage if we're always clamoring to join our "seaworthy" sisters? The ones waiting on the shiny boat? Might as well offer our thin wrists right now–and be led like thieves, via the speedcraft's connecting ladder.
Meantime the misfits beckon! A rowdy class on patched-together rafts, they're headed full steam ahead–fueled by a zillion little vapors.
Pastis vapors?
Perhaps. Et alors? Who am I to judge!
Better to search for that fleck of light in a misfit's eyes. Can you see the sparkle? And if you look closely enough, régardant de très très près, you might even catch it: the glittering coattails of a zillion little vapors leading to l'infini.
Infinity, those dots that connect us to each other for miles and miles and milleniums.
* * *
I hope you enjoyed today's story which, ironically, veered completely off track from the first nonfiction paragraphs! I'm reminded it's not a bad thing to let go and just see what happens! Will you try this today? Letting go of rigid planning? Let me know!
Comments
Also, let me know if you'd like to join me for a meet-up in April. I'll take note of the dates you mention, and start planning some reader rendez-vous. Click here to comment.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le bijou = jewel
le filet de pêche = fishnet
la panne = landing (at the boat docks)
le personnage = character
le quai = quay, platform
le pastis = anis-flavored liquor
et alors?! = and what's it to you?! (so what?!)
Beyond a delicate wooden fence, Le Grand Bleu, or Mediterranean Sea. In the background the area called Les Lecques.
Jean-Marc and his high-school buddy, Nicolas (who was best man at our wedding, and who took this steamy anniversary photo on the same beach last summer! and who appeared here in our jittery wedding photo, in 1994:
That's Nico, between the priest and Jean-Marc (who looks like he's getting cold feet…).
Jean-Marc was in charge of the picnic, which began with an oursin, or sea urchin apéritif. He hunted these a few meters off the pebble beach. He also served up les oeufs de lompe and tarama (fish eggs and fish egg purée), smoked salmon, mini fromages de chèvre (goats' cheeses), and for dessert, Sophie and Nicolas brought kiwi and raspberry fruit tarts, lemon tarts, and chocolate tarts (minis). (Those are Sophie's toes, left. Sorry I didn't get her picture!)
That grotto, to the right, is where they put all the litter bugs, or pollueurs. You DON'T want to drop trash on French beaches or they'll toss you in a cave. (Not really. But could it put a stop to litter bugs?)
This-a-way or That-a-way? Par ici or Par là?
Back at the port de La Madrague. Look at that scooter. Some people know how to get around!
If you enjoy French Word-A-Day, maybe a friend would to? Forward this post, and your friend can sign up here.
The hat is great protection from the sun, and the bandana keeps my neck from turning rooster red. Tell me your sun protection tips. I'm always interested!
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hi Kristin, it would be wonderful to meet fellow readers of your inspiring writing, thoughts and ways of seeing life. By the way your photography is excellent, your photos like your writing are very original. You are like a Bonnard in that you take ordinary everyday things and make art or a story from them, and make them timeless. I am here all of April,. love from Karen
hi Kristin, it would be wonderful to meet fellow readers of your inspiring writing, thoughts and ways of seeing life. By the way your photography is excellent, your photos like your writing are very original. You are like a Bonnard in that you take ordinary everyday things and make art or a story from them, and make them timeless. I am here all of April,. love from Karen
I would love to join your meet-up because I have been enjoying your newsletter so much in preparation for my trip to France. But, the Bandol area is a two hour drive from my Provence gite, in Saint Saturnin-les-Apt, so I doubt it is doable. Just in case, my stay in Provence is from April 26 through May 3. In total, I will be travelling all over France for 5 weeks. Reading your “Word a Day” has been fun and educational! Thank you for the information and inspiration,
Karen
Reno NV
I would love to join your meet-up because I have been enjoying your newsletter so much in preparation for my trip to France. But, the Bandol area is a two hour drive from my Provence gite, in Saint Saturnin-les-Apt, so I doubt it is doable. Just in case, my stay in Provence is from April 26 through May 3. In total, I will be travelling all over France for 5 weeks. Reading your “Word a Day” has been fun and educational! Thank you for the information and inspiration,
Karen
Reno NV
So wish I was in France to meet up with you and fellow FWADers! But alas I will be there in spirit saying hello and wishing you all fun times.
xoxo
So wish I was in France to meet up with you and fellow FWADers! But alas I will be there in spirit saying hello and wishing you all fun times.
xoxo
K, I also suffer from sun exposure issues, and have found the best suncreen ever! It is called Sunology. I will have some sample packs with me and if we ever get to the Bandol region this summer as we spend 2 months in France, I will drop you a line.
Sorry I missed my chance to taste wine at your old place….
K, I also suffer from sun exposure issues, and have found the best suncreen ever! It is called Sunology. I will have some sample packs with me and if we ever get to the Bandol region this summer as we spend 2 months in France, I will drop you a line.
Sorry I missed my chance to taste wine at your old place….
Dear Kristin, I would love to join you in April. Unfortunately, I’m at my daughter’s now, and flying home the Monday after next. I just had to escape our long cold winter, and made a sudden decision to come here. But I’ll be with you in spirit!!!
Peggy
Dear Kristin, I would love to join you in April. Unfortunately, I’m at my daughter’s now, and flying home the Monday after next. I just had to escape our long cold winter, and made a sudden decision to come here. But I’ll be with you in spirit!!!
Peggy
Maybe customs have changed since I learned the phrases, but I thought
la tête de quelqu’un
would be the usual way in French, and not very common to say
ma tête our sa tête
in such an expression.
One of those small differences between languages?
Maybe customs have changed since I learned the phrases, but I thought
la tête de quelqu’un
would be the usual way in French, and not very common to say
ma tête our sa tête
in such an expression.
One of those small differences between languages?
Kristin, you look gorgeous in your wedding photo ! so beautiful. Your other photos are beautiful, too. Wish I could join in end-April. Someone in Villefrance for April ? what a dream ! I’ve been there a couple of times, a favorite place.
Kristin, you look gorgeous in your wedding photo ! so beautiful. Your other photos are beautiful, too. Wish I could join in end-April. Someone in Villefrance for April ? what a dream ! I’ve been there a couple of times, a favorite place.
Salut,
Hope you will have one in Sept when I will be in Bandol/La Cadiere/Le Castelle.
I use SkinCeuticals 50spf with tint.
Salut,
Hope you will have one in Sept when I will be in Bandol/La Cadiere/Le Castelle.
I use SkinCeuticals 50spf with tint.
Typo?
Le Grande Bleu, or Mediterranean Sea..
Should be either:
Le Grand Bleu
or
La Grande Bleue
Jacqueline in almost autumnal Brisbane
Typo?
Le Grande Bleu, or Mediterranean Sea..
Should be either:
Le Grand Bleu
or
La Grande Bleue
Jacqueline in almost autumnal Brisbane
Kristi how lovely to read of your day on the beach together with the delightful pictures. as always your photographs are exceptional. I really love the part of France where you are now living. Have you read” My Mothers Home” by Gully Wells, she writes for many travel publications. The home was on the hill hear Bandol, I have been so delighted with her story I am into my third reading, but then I love stories about the French countryside, bon journee June Gold Coast Qld
Kristi how lovely to read of your day on the beach together with the delightful pictures. as always your photographs are exceptional. I really love the part of France where you are now living. Have you read” My Mothers Home” by Gully Wells, she writes for many travel publications. The home was on the hill hear Bandol, I have been so delighted with her story I am into my third reading, but then I love stories about the French countryside, bon journee June Gold Coast Qld
Max! Qu’est-ce que t’as grandi! This sentence has been translated as
“Max! You are so tall now!” Is this translation correct? Would not “Max, how have you grown” be a better rendering?
Max! Qu’est-ce que t’as grandi! This sentence has been translated as
“Max! You are so tall now!” Is this translation correct? Would not “Max, how have you grown” be a better rendering?
Hi Ronald, yes, we did sell Domaine Rouge-Bleu. We are now investors there and still closely involved in supporting all of Caroline and Thomass hard work.
Hi Ronald, yes, we did sell Domaine Rouge-Bleu. We are now investors there and still closely involved in supporting all of Caroline and Thomass hard work.
We will be in Nice from March 25 – April 23. Would love to meet up near Bandol sometime in April, preferrably between April 8 – 19. Please keep us posted on the firm date and we will try to make it. Merci beaucoup!
We will be in Nice from March 25 – April 23. Would love to meet up near Bandol sometime in April, preferrably between April 8 – 19. Please keep us posted on the firm date and we will try to make it. Merci beaucoup!
Oh how I wish I could meet in April, but I’m in belle France now! Headed to Nimes tomorrow, not too far away am I? Have been taking in splendor of Haut Languedoc but must fly home this coming Sunday.
Cheers from
Priscilla
Oh how I wish I could meet in April, but I’m in belle France now! Headed to Nimes tomorrow, not too far away am I? Have been taking in splendor of Haut Languedoc but must fly home this coming Sunday.
Cheers from
Priscilla
I utilize the same protection … scarf and large brim hat. After many bitter and ugly rounds with skin cancer myself I am thrilled to see you protecting your pretty face.
I found your blog by stumbling onto your skin cancer entry one day!
I was searching for something that would pull me out of my fear and grief over another surgery on my face ( why always the face!) …when I found your Moms “H” poem. Whst a cool lady.
Mary Liz
I utilize the same protection … scarf and large brim hat. After many bitter and ugly rounds with skin cancer myself I am thrilled to see you protecting your pretty face.
I found your blog by stumbling onto your skin cancer entry one day!
I was searching for something that would pull me out of my fear and grief over another surgery on my face ( why always the face!) …when I found your Moms “H” poem. Whst a cool lady.
Mary Liz
I hate correcting typos of others because Loulou has SO MANY. I think you meant “take note” and yes, a get-together would be such fun.
From Collioure, it’s a jaunt but keep me posted!
I hate correcting typos of others because Loulou has SO MANY. I think you meant “take note” and yes, a get-together would be such fun.
From Collioure, it’s a jaunt but keep me posted!
Dear Kristi, another lovely post! What I was looking for was the French equivalent for “seaworthy.” Did I miss it? Love your blog and can’t wait to read all your books.
Dear Kristi, another lovely post! What I was looking for was the French equivalent for “seaworthy.” Did I miss it? Love your blog and can’t wait to read all your books.
Just ordered your book from Amazon….I really wanted to support you. Your writing means a lot to me, straight from the heart and honest. I look forward to reading your words more than I can say.
BRAVO for following your dreams, for having the courage to put yourself out there….
With Love,
Lisa Culver
Grateful Reader from Raleigh, NC
Just ordered your book from Amazon….I really wanted to support you. Your writing means a lot to me, straight from the heart and honest. I look forward to reading your words more than I can say.
BRAVO for following your dreams, for having the courage to put yourself out there….
With Love,
Lisa Culver
Grateful Reader from Raleigh, NC
I love your suggestion of a Meetup..I have a language partner from http://www.mylanguageexchange.com who lives near there and I will be visiting her the week of June 16th to the 20…We would love to meet you and your friends.
On another note, I read through the tips for learning to speak French and picked up one of the best…someone said to put that English tongue behind your lower front teeth and everything will be easier…And it was! Thanks.
Eileen HOwell Ottawa, Canada
I love your suggestion of a Meetup..I have a language partner from http://www.mylanguageexchange.com who lives near there and I will be visiting her the week of June 16th to the 20…We would love to meet you and your friends.
On another note, I read through the tips for learning to speak French and picked up one of the best…someone said to put that English tongue behind your lower front teeth and everything will be easier…And it was! Thanks.
Eileen HOwell Ottawa, Canada