No time to go into details about this week's blog hijacking. Just happy to be back on line! Hats off to my blog provider, Typepad, and their indefatigable SWAT team! (photo of airplanes taken yesterday, from the garden)
Join Jean-Marc and Kristi for the April 28th wine-tasting in St. Cyr-sur-Mer. 10 euros. Email jm.espinasse AT gmail.com
ongle (ohngl), masculine
: fingernail
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wav
L'ongle peut être considéré comme un témoin du plus ou moins bon fonctionnement de l’organisme. The nail can be considered as a warning of the more or less smooth running of the organism.
Exclusive French made clothes now available to purchase on-line. Thomas Hulston Collections.
A Day in a FRENCH Life… by Kristin Espinasse
My husband and I were reading the morning news in bed when I caught sight of mon ongle and gasped.
"Qu'est-ce qui se passe?" What's the matter? Jean-Marc asked.
"It's my fingernail," I said, turning it from side to side before the morning light. The top of the nail was dented and there were ridges running vertically up and down the surface. It wasn't like that before, I thought. Not this one!
"Regarde." I pointed out my thumbnails to Jean-Marc, adding that both were so deeply grooved they were beginning to crack in the middle. This I was already aware of. As a matter of fact, the "pouce problem" had caused a lot of frenzied internet searches. But the index fingernail, that was new.
"Pourquoi ça fait ça?" my husband asked.
"I don't know. I'm trying to find out." According to Google, horizontal or vertical nail ridges meant anything from disease to trauma. I'd ruled out that latter, certain not to have smashed my nails playing pétanque recently.
"You know, it's like those roses you plant at the beginning of the vine rows…." Using a familiar language, I shared with my winemaker husband what I had just learned: our fingernails are an indication of our health. "When the roses begin to whither, the vigneron has enough time to move in and treat the grapevines before they, too, drop off. Same thing with les ongles."
Maybe a nutritional deficiency was causing my nails to weaken? It's true we are eating less meat…
"On mange plus de viande rouge," I pointed out.
"C'est vrai," Jean-Marc agreed, only his nails didn't seem to be affected.
"Mange des lentilles," Jean-Marc offered, reading my mind. He was right, there were other sources of iron besides boudin and foie de porc (two entries that ranked highest on the fer list, followed by grissons–whatever those were….).
"Et le persil–that's full of iron!" I remembered.
Jean-Marc laughed, citing all the liters of parsley pesto I'd been making lately, as if by presentiment. But my husband got an extra good chuckle when I shared yet another possible cause for the nail anomaly:
"Le vieillissement. Look, it says aging could be the culprit!"
I stared at my iPad, where a screen full of grooved and cracking fingernails haunted me. I'd done yet another "ridges in fingernails" search and was now facing the results.
"Donne-moi ça," Let me see, my husband said, reaching for my iPad.
"Really?"
Jean-Marc paused and I saw the concerned look on his face. He was clearly surprised that I would question for one moment his sympathies.
Aha! I recognized the low-profile bully that still lurks within me: her name is LSE.* She whispers stuff like "you're weird" and "who cares about your stupid little problems?" But this time I caught her! Just in time to push her off the bed and refocus on the person seated next to me.
That the half-naked man beside me wanted to look at some ugly deformed nails in an effort to understand what was bothering me–this was deeply revealing.
Something between alchemy and the laying on of hands, my husband's words were mysteriously healing. It no longer mattered what it was that was eating at me (or my fingernails). The important thing was–
LOVE.
* * *
Comments: click here
*LSE (Low Self Esteem) can attack anyone at any age, anytime. It doesn't matter your race, what country you live in or your profession or religion. It tells you you're unworthy, not good enough. It focuses on your failures, no matter your successes. Help kick its butt by spreading love.
French Vocabulary
qu'est-ce qui se passe = what's happening?
regarde = look
le pouce = thumb
pourquoi ça fait ça? = why's it doing that?
la pétanque = game of boules
le vigneron = winemaker
le persil = parsely
le boudin = kind of sausage
le foie de porc = pork liver
Some of you asked what was under the borage flowers (in a previous photo). That was my mother-in-law's tapenade! Here's more flowers and some kale too. I love to carry this seed basket to the garden, never knowing what to sow next. Yesterday it was les belles de nuit, or "beauties of the night"–which were pushed into the wet soil like girly adversaries in the mudboxing ring!
"La Trouvaille"–a true find in Provence! Affordable vacation rental in our beautiful old stone house in the charming village of Sablet. Click here.
Provence Dreamin'? Maison des Pelerins, Sablet. A Vacation Rental Dream in the heart of the Côte du Rhone.
It didn't matter that the library, above, wrote–suggesting I enter my book for an award. I still questioned whether I wasn't an impostor. Looking at the entries before mine–intellectual books, researched memoirs–it seemed dishonest to apply. But I did! I sent in my First French Essais for The American Library's Book Award. Wish me luck!
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Kristin:
Bonne chance with the American Library Award!
I just read your latest book while on a trip to the Northeast. I enjoyed it very much especially the last part about Monsieur Farjon in French and English. I also thought the layout was especially attractive.
As to your nails, perhaps your local chemist can suggest something to improve them. Hope it’s nothing serious.
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
Bonne chance with the American Library Award!
I just read your latest book while on a trip to the Northeast. I enjoyed it very much especially the last part about Monsieur Farjon in French and English. I also thought the layout was especially attractive.
As to your nails, perhaps your local chemist can suggest something to improve them. Hope it’s nothing serious.
Edie from Savannah
Congratulations on the invitation to make your book an entrant for the American Library in Paris Award. You richly deserve every honor you receive…and more!
Congratulations on the invitation to make your book an entrant for the American Library in Paris Award. You richly deserve every honor you receive…and more!
Bonne chance! You will always have the reward of your readers for making their day a little brighter, and a little bit more French. Thank you for your stories.
Bonne chance! You will always have the reward of your readers for making their day a little brighter, and a little bit more French. Thank you for your stories.
Thanks Kristin for your ongoing blog. As a longtime student of French I really enjoy it. Today’s post re LSE really rang a bell with me on another level however — I saw clearly what you meant, and the effect this affliction can have on others. I am not sure I have ever understood this as well before. Thanks (Miranda, Canberra.)
Thanks Kristin for your ongoing blog. As a longtime student of French I really enjoy it. Today’s post re LSE really rang a bell with me on another level however — I saw clearly what you meant, and the effect this affliction can have on others. I am not sure I have ever understood this as well before. Thanks (Miranda, Canberra.)
Hi, Kristin,
I’ve had those ridges for years, never too happy about them, because my nails split up the ridges, and then I have to file them way down (which I’m sure they probably don’t like very much!)! If you find a good cure, let me know. I’ve tried a few things. A friend tried Biotin but it was really hard on her stomach, but I might try it anyway! Good luck on the Library award – you deserve an award for each of your three books I’ve read!
Hi, Kristin,
I’ve had those ridges for years, never too happy about them, because my nails split up the ridges, and then I have to file them way down (which I’m sure they probably don’t like very much!)! If you find a good cure, let me know. I’ve tried a few things. A friend tried Biotin but it was really hard on her stomach, but I might try it anyway! Good luck on the Library award – you deserve an award for each of your three books I’ve read!
Passante,
I think this sentence is informal conversation, where Kristin has noted that ne gets dropped from the negative.
“On mange plus de viande rouge,”
It is confusing to me, too. Add ne before mange, and then it means
We do not eat red meat anymore.
I think written French keeps the two words for negatives.
As for the ridges, I assumed it wsa something missing from my diet too, but never have figured it out. Saying it is just age, not much of an explanation, it it?
Hope the meet-up goes well.
Passante,
I think this sentence is informal conversation, where Kristin has noted that ne gets dropped from the negative.
“On mange plus de viande rouge,”
It is confusing to me, too. Add ne before mange, and then it means
We do not eat red meat anymore.
I think written French keeps the two words for negatives.
As for the ridges, I assumed it wsa something missing from my diet too, but never have figured it out. Saying it is just age, not much of an explanation, it it?
Hope the meet-up goes well.
I hope everyone has a great time at the meet up! Of course, how could they not!
And, Kristin, congratulations on the book invitation! What a lovely, lovely honor! One that is truly well-deserved! Bonne chance!
I hope everyone has a great time at the meet up! Of course, how could they not!
And, Kristin, congratulations on the book invitation! What a lovely, lovely honor! One that is truly well-deserved! Bonne chance!
Miranda, so good to know this clicked with you. I was beginning to regret mentionning it. Not any more!
Nancy, Judi, and others who have mentionned the award–I am deeply touched! To know that you ate reading and enjoying the stories, right here, IS a reward!
Sarah, you are right–I wrote it in spoken French. It needs to be corrected for the written story.
Miranda, so good to know this clicked with you. I was beginning to regret mentionning it. Not any more!
Nancy, Judi, and others who have mentionned the award–I am deeply touched! To know that you ate reading and enjoying the stories, right here, IS a reward!
Sarah, you are right–I wrote it in spoken French. It needs to be corrected for the written story.
I loved this post, Kristin; it almost seems as if American society conspired to ensure that most of us women would suffer from LSE.
I know from experience that compliments from outside oneself don’t solve the maladie, but they don’t hurt, either! SO – Listen up! You are beautiful and talented, you are successfully raising children in a culture different from the one in which you were raised, and making a home in said culture while maintaining your grace and sense of humor! Kudos!
I loved this post, Kristin; it almost seems as if American society conspired to ensure that most of us women would suffer from LSE.
I know from experience that compliments from outside oneself don’t solve the maladie, but they don’t hurt, either! SO – Listen up! You are beautiful and talented, you are successfully raising children in a culture different from the one in which you were raised, and making a home in said culture while maintaining your grace and sense of humor! Kudos!
Kristin,
Look at the photos of tic deformity and ask your husband if he ever sees you rubbing your nails. The latter may be too subtle for most of us to be aware of ourselves, and is an extremely common cause of rippling of the nails.
Kristin,
Look at the photos of tic deformity and ask your husband if he ever sees you rubbing your nails. The latter may be too subtle for most of us to be aware of ourselves, and is an extremely common cause of rippling of the nails.
Ridges appeared on my 60 year old thumbs several years ago. I plan to investigate dietary sources of biotin, but for the moment I want to applaud you for – yet again, and as usual! – transforming some ordinary detail into a gem! Thanks, and best wishes with the writing award.
Ridges appeared on my 60 year old thumbs several years ago. I plan to investigate dietary sources of biotin, but for the moment I want to applaud you for – yet again, and as usual! – transforming some ordinary detail into a gem! Thanks, and best wishes with the writing award.
I loved this post! Thank you for sharing your wonderful message of love 🙂 It’s always a good reminder to push away LSE whenever she creeps nearby.
I loved this post! Thank you for sharing your wonderful message of love 🙂 It’s always a good reminder to push away LSE whenever she creeps nearby.
Kristin, i think entering your book for that lovely acknowledgement is an excellent way to kick miss elsie in the keester! Just putting it in the mail made you an advocate for your self. Yay! 🙂
Kristin, i think entering your book for that lovely acknowledgement is an excellent way to kick miss elsie in the keester! Just putting it in the mail made you an advocate for your self. Yay! 🙂
I, too, have vertical nail ridges . . . on all of my nails. When I checked the many possibilities for their cause, I “diagnosed” it to be the result of arthritis, which I have and which currently affects only my right thumb and right index finger. Just hope it stops there!
I, too, have vertical nail ridges . . . on all of my nails. When I checked the many possibilities for their cause, I “diagnosed” it to be the result of arthritis, which I have and which currently affects only my right thumb and right index finger. Just hope it stops there!
Congrats on your book award. What an honor to be invited and well deserved. xoxo
Congrats on your book award. What an honor to be invited and well deserved. xoxo
Good Luck with the award, you certainly deserve it!
Good Luck with the award, you certainly deserve it!
For some reason my comments are not coming through, so I will try again: only now I have forgotten what all my responses were! Thank you all for these replies. Enjoying every one!
On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 2:40 PM, Kristin Espinasse kristin.espinasse@gmail.com wrote:
Thanks, Laurie, and Passante, for the correction. Nyla, what a pleasure to see your art work! Katia, thanks for the cheers and for relating 🙂
For some reason my comments are not coming through, so I will try again: only now I have forgotten what all my responses were! Thank you all for these replies. Enjoying every one!
On Wed, Apr 23, 2014 at 2:40 PM, Kristin Espinasse kristin.espinasse@gmail.com wrote:
Thanks, Laurie, and Passante, for the correction. Nyla, what a pleasure to see your art work! Katia, thanks for the cheers and for relating 🙂
Sarah LaBelle — Leaving out the first element of the negative in French — ça je comprends bien. Actually what confused me is that Kristi writes “It’s true we’re eating less red meat” and then goes on to say to Jean-Marc, “On mange plus de viande rouge” which is a different statement, with or without “ne”. I assumed that she was saying in French to J-M what she had just said in English (so as to advance-paraphrase/translate for us — a standard device when mixing a foreign language in a piece of writing). Hence my assumption that it should be “moins” not “plus”. If I’d read first in English, “It’s true we’re not eating red meat any more” it would have made perfect sense to me.
Sarah LaBelle — Leaving out the first element of the negative in French — ça je comprends bien. Actually what confused me is that Kristi writes “It’s true we’re eating less red meat” and then goes on to say to Jean-Marc, “On mange plus de viande rouge” which is a different statement, with or without “ne”. I assumed that she was saying in French to J-M what she had just said in English (so as to advance-paraphrase/translate for us — a standard device when mixing a foreign language in a piece of writing). Hence my assumption that it should be “moins” not “plus”. If I’d read first in English, “It’s true we’re not eating red meat any more” it would have made perfect sense to me.
Kristi — In bocca al lupo for the book award.
Kristi — In bocca al lupo for the book award.
Thanks, Laurie, and Passante, for the correction. Nyla, what a pleasure to see your art work! Katia, thanks for the cheers and for relating 🙂
Thanks, Laurie, and Passante, for the correction. Nyla, what a pleasure to see your art work! Katia, thanks for the cheers and for relating 🙂
I’ve read a few things about ridged fingernails.
According to Oriental Medicine, vertical ridges mean that you’re liver is deficient. Drink a lot of lemon-water & try to detox & nourish your liver.
Because the liver is responsible for converting thyroid hormone T4 into the more useful T3, it could also indicate a thyroid deficiency.
I’ve read a few things about ridged fingernails.
According to Oriental Medicine, vertical ridges mean that you’re liver is deficient. Drink a lot of lemon-water & try to detox & nourish your liver.
Because the liver is responsible for converting thyroid hormone T4 into the more useful T3, it could also indicate a thyroid deficiency.
Dear Kristin, you certainly lift a lot of spirits ,bringing joy into our lives by your comments on everyday events and insecurities. My nails are not so great either. Not to worry. As you say LOVE and acceptance are what keeps us going. It seems you have that in Jean-Marc.
Good luck on you book!!! Fondly, Mary-Audrey
Dear Kristin, you certainly lift a lot of spirits ,bringing joy into our lives by your comments on everyday events and insecurities. My nails are not so great either. Not to worry. As you say LOVE and acceptance are what keeps us going. It seems you have that in Jean-Marc.
Good luck on you book!!! Fondly, Mary-Audrey
Hi Kristin,
I have these vertical ridges and I was told it is a sign of “low thyroid” (I have Hashimoto’s disease) when I was really ill I also had no “moons” (lunula)…I would suggest you get a thyroid work up if you are having other sluggish thyroid symptoms.
http://blog.lef.org/2011/08/ridges-in-your-nails-point-to-larger.html
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview
Warm Regards,
Sandy Vichery
Hi Kristin,
I have these vertical ridges and I was told it is a sign of “low thyroid” (I have Hashimoto’s disease) when I was really ill I also had no “moons” (lunula)…I would suggest you get a thyroid work up if you are having other sluggish thyroid symptoms.
http://blog.lef.org/2011/08/ridges-in-your-nails-point-to-larger.html
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview
Warm Regards,
Sandy Vichery
Funny, funny. I went through this exact routine about 20 yrs ago. Yes, it is aging. Welcome to the other side! It only gets worse.
Funny, funny. I went through this exact routine about 20 yrs ago. Yes, it is aging. Welcome to the other side! It only gets worse.