Manigances is not the word of the day, but if it were I'd tell you all about our dogs shenanigans. Instead, read about my prized neighbor, in today's column.
une ortie (or-tee)
: stinging nettle, white nettle
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc:
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Faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties!
Don't push it (don't test grandma's patience!)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Once our golden retrievers were safely home and I'd finally claimed my husband's Forgiveness Flowers, I raced back up the hill to Annie's house. My 74-year-old neighbor lives at the edge of our north field, beside the borie-shaped well–where she had seen me chasing our dogs. I needed to let Annie know everything was okay. And I had to make sure no harm had come to her chickens!
I made my way past sky-high wildflowers, which grace the edge of Annie's place. Parting a curtain of giant yellow marguerites, I glimpsed Annie.
"Ça va, Annie?" As soon as I said it I slapped my hand over my mouth. "Oups! I haven't brushed my teeth. Better not come close to me!"
"And I haven't got any teeth!" Annie countered, smiling to prove it. We shrugged our shoulders and kissed each other through the laughter.
"J'ai un problème," I began. I told Annie about our dogs latest fugue–in which they were spotted stealing another neighbor's chickens! All chaos broke loose when yet another neighbor began ambushing the golden thieves, chasing away our dogs with grapefruit-size rocks!
"Are you kidding? They could have killed Smokey!" my son argued, when I spoke of the apology due our neighbor. It was my 18-year-old and his sister who had found our dogs, thanks to the foreign field workers (on the neighbor's property), who also filled the kids in on the drama. Using their muscular arms the Spaniards told the story of the stoning. Max pieced together the excited Spanish, and learned about the violent attack — this time on our dogs.
"Put yourself in their shoes!" I said to Max, trying to reason with my son. "They lost three of their own animals!"
"No they didn't," Max said of the rock-throwers. "The other neighbor did!"
That's when my husband put a stop to the argument. "On va laisser ça comme ça!" We're going to leave things as they are (no one was going to go anywhere!), he said, pointing out that the neighbor had yanked one of our dog's (telephone numbered) collars off, during the ambush, and so threatened to call the police and report us. We'll settle things then, my husband seemed to be saying.
Annie listened to the drama as I recounted it. "I've got to apologize to the poor lady who lost her hens. But I'm not sure which house is hers–the three homes are so close together. What if I end up at the mad guy's house? The one who tried to kill our dogs (believing his hens were next on the menu)…. It was, as the French would say, une situation très délicate.
Annie sighed, and held out her arm. "Come on, let's go have a cup of coffee."
Annie didn't have the answer, but the arm-in-arm stroll through her garden, and the drip coffee–reheated and served in mustard jars–eased my distress.
In this cozy atmosphere, I babbled on about my stubborn husband and son, as Annie shook her head, remembering aloud her own fiesty family. Soon we were laughing, even if the subject was tender as a feather (those poor chickens! I felt sick with regret!)
Rounding Annie's garden, passing by the wall of bright orange capucines and the riot of artichokes–I spotted the upturned T.V.
"Oh, Annie–you are my kind of friend!"
The old T.V. reminded me of our knob-turner from the 70s. Only, instead of getting tossed out when flat-screens came along, this T.V. ended up in the garden–as a flower pot! My eyes trailed up the tree peony that came rocketing out of the broken screen–talk about 3D!
Annie seemed a little embarrassed and began explaining she'd run out of plant-holders, but I assured her the solution was pure genius!
Annie was tickled and it showed in her step as she tugged me along, now, to see the rest of her garden– including rows and rows of fava and green beans. "I finally planted a potager this year," she said, and I remembered her gardener husband. How many years since he had passed? Wouldn't he be delighted to know his wife was growing things again!
"You did all of this?" I praised, and for my attention I received another excited tug. This time we were off to see the prized irises!
Those flowers were beautiful indeed, but it was the knee-high patch off to the side that really caught my eye.
"Les orties!"
Annie looked surprised by my interest. "You can have them all!"
"But don't you eat them?" I questioned, believing every French woman must have a repertoire of recipes for nettles.
"I can't stand them!" Annie admitted, "ça pique! ça pique!" She grabbed her trusty pick and motioned for me to stand back, refusing my offer to help.
Watching Annie, an old French expression trotted my mind, embarrasingly so:
Il ne faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties! (Don't shove grandma into the nettles patch!)
The lively expression caused me to smile to myself, guiltily, and when Annie turned to hand me the sack of orties, she couldn't know what I was thinking.
I was thinking about the miracle of living the French expressions I'd once only memorized from a book! I was thinking about how things only got better and better, once you stood up, dusted yourself off, and went in search of love.
I was thinking about how I was now the proud new owner of orties! Not everyone is in search of stinging nettles–not everyone finds in them a pot of gold (or a pot of vitamins, when you make soup!). But then there was a time when I wasn't in search of stinging nettles either, preferring to adorn my outside rather than adore my inside.
The more I hang with geniuses like Annie, the more I get my priorities straight. And a big priority, presently, was to go find that poor chickenless neighbor–and to apologize.
A suivre… (to be continued, click here for part 2)
Comments
To respond to this story, click here.
The highlighted links within the post will bring you to more pictures. Simply scroll down the linked page to find them:
- Our golden retrievers – see Smokey's dad, too!
- Forgiveness bouquet – Jean-Marc is seriously good at picking wildflowers
- Borie-shaped well (you'll also see pictures of our home)
French Vocabulary
la borie = round stone hut
la marguerite = daisy
la fugue = runaway
la capucine = nasturtium
le potager = kitchen garden
les orties = stinging nettles
ça pique! = it stings!
I planted the stinging nettles below the boulder (left). I did have a doubt… maybe they'll spread like rumors and become a nuisance! But then I'll have plenty of nutritious nettle soup one day! See 101 Uses for Stinging Nettles
Here are some wildflowers coming up in the lower field. You can just glimpse the lawn chair (right) where Aunt Geneviève rested after our family picnic, over a week ago.
If you enjoy this word and photo journal, please share it with a friend! And many thanks for reading.
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Hi Kristin! I see both sides — many of us are animal lovers and worry about ALL animals — not just yours. I’m sure you’re doing the best you can and we know you loved the cats, and your pups. Your tone in the post was a wee bit defensive — but I do understand that. I would be upset too if dogs got to my chickens. I’m sure there’s a way to work it all out. I have been a huge supporter of keeping cats indoors — but I do see the difference between urban and country settings.
Please don’t take anything personal —- I love your posts, photos and the pups.
PS: I am reading the book “Click Millionaires” and your website and you are mentioned. Loved it!
Hi Kristin! I see both sides — many of us are animal lovers and worry about ALL animals — not just yours. I’m sure you’re doing the best you can and we know you loved the cats, and your pups. Your tone in the post was a wee bit defensive — but I do understand that. I would be upset too if dogs got to my chickens. I’m sure there’s a way to work it all out. I have been a huge supporter of keeping cats indoors — but I do see the difference between urban and country settings.
Please don’t take anything personal —- I love your posts, photos and the pups.
PS: I am reading the book “Click Millionaires” and your website and you are mentioned. Loved it!
Hi Kristin,
I just listened to an interview you did with Scott Fox back in 2012. Thank you so much for sharing about your life in France and your writing. How blessed you are to have found a job that you love. I am also trying to turn my writing into a job because it is what I love doing the most. Thanks for being an inspiration! Merci!
Hi Kristin,
I just listened to an interview you did with Scott Fox back in 2012. Thank you so much for sharing about your life in France and your writing. How blessed you are to have found a job that you love. I am also trying to turn my writing into a job because it is what I love doing the most. Thanks for being an inspiration! Merci!
Waking up, now, to these thoughtful replies. I would like to start with an apology if I was defensive in my previous comment. I just kept thinking: if only you could be a fly on the wall around here–then you would see how my days revolve around the animals and making sure noone is bothered (by any of us!).
Last night, when I learned Jane Goodall would be speaking in Paris (a 3-hr train ride from here), I thought: forget writing part 2 of your dog and chicken story–hop on the train and go hear Goodall speak! But I now realize the best I can do, is to be inspired in my own back yard (and put the cost of the train ticket and hotel back into my garden, spending time with my animals).
Faye and Jen, thanks for mentionning Click Millionaires. I had the great chance to be in Scott Foxs book. And though my blog and books have not made me a millionaire, I would not trade this job for a better paying one at McDonalds!
Waking up, now, to these thoughtful replies. I would like to start with an apology if I was defensive in my previous comment. I just kept thinking: if only you could be a fly on the wall around here–then you would see how my days revolve around the animals and making sure noone is bothered (by any of us!).
Last night, when I learned Jane Goodall would be speaking in Paris (a 3-hr train ride from here), I thought: forget writing part 2 of your dog and chicken story–hop on the train and go hear Goodall speak! But I now realize the best I can do, is to be inspired in my own back yard (and put the cost of the train ticket and hotel back into my garden, spending time with my animals).
Faye and Jen, thanks for mentionning Click Millionaires. I had the great chance to be in Scott Foxs book. And though my blog and books have not made me a millionaire, I would not trade this job for a better paying one at McDonalds!
Kristin, I’m so in love with all these encounters you write about. I so love how you share recipes and seeds and “small” things like that. It’s all so enchanting and charming. Thanks for sharing.
Kristin, I’m so in love with all these encounters you write about. I so love how you share recipes and seeds and “small” things like that. It’s all so enchanting and charming. Thanks for sharing.
Annie sounds delightful! Nettle is the delicious vitamin-rich food of my childhood. My grandmother and I used to pick it by the side of the road while enjoying a hike outside the city. I haven’t had a chance to taste nettle soup in a while, but it’s a favourite.
Annie sounds delightful! Nettle is the delicious vitamin-rich food of my childhood. My grandmother and I used to pick it by the side of the road while enjoying a hike outside the city. I haven’t had a chance to taste nettle soup in a while, but it’s a favourite.
Thanks, Katia, and all who are responding to the stinging nettle info. The stories you are sharing are motivating me to cultivate this — and other plants growing in the back yard! P.S. my dear friend Chris (another friend Chris, beside the dear reader who comments here!) tells me the Jane Goodall is speaking in Aix-en-Provence on Monday night at 8:30! This is much closer… so well be going. So happy! Would like to download her latest book, on plants, but I see she will be signing books too. I should take a lesson from some of you–and by both book versions 🙂
Thanks, Katia, and all who are responding to the stinging nettle info. The stories you are sharing are motivating me to cultivate this — and other plants growing in the back yard! P.S. my dear friend Chris (another friend Chris, beside the dear reader who comments here!) tells me the Jane Goodall is speaking in Aix-en-Provence on Monday night at 8:30! This is much closer… so well be going. So happy! Would like to download her latest book, on plants, but I see she will be signing books too. I should take a lesson from some of you–and by both book versions 🙂
I am wondering if a simple apology would be enough. I know your dogs are great, but from the neighbors’ point of view they are not. Difficult situation.
I am wondering if a simple apology would be enough. I know your dogs are great, but from the neighbors’ point of view they are not. Difficult situation.
I love dogs. I foster abused and abandoned dogs and find good “forever” homes for them. However, a dog that harms other peoples’ animals is unacceptable. If you can’t find a way of containing them then–heartless as it sounds–you must remove them from your life. Loose dogs that threaten livestock are often looked upon as fair game by farmers. They run the risk of being shot and killed–or painfully wounded. It’s time to be a grown up about this and take adult responsibility for your animals. Owning a dog is a priviledge.
I love dogs. I foster abused and abandoned dogs and find good “forever” homes for them. However, a dog that harms other peoples’ animals is unacceptable. If you can’t find a way of containing them then–heartless as it sounds–you must remove them from your life. Loose dogs that threaten livestock are often looked upon as fair game by farmers. They run the risk of being shot and killed–or painfully wounded. It’s time to be a grown up about this and take adult responsibility for your animals. Owning a dog is a priviledge.
oh wow the anti chicken killing dog comments abound today!..for certain it is a bad thing that I am equally certain you are more concerned about than any of the commenters..and the idea of getting rid of the dogs is really unacceptable. I have had “runaway” dogs in the past, just no matter what I would do they would get out and go exploring and then come home, and my live started to revolve around how to keep them inside the fence or house. I have fostered dogs in the past and some breeds just love to run, mine fortunately like to be in the house next to me. Sorry you are going through that agony, but equally certain you will find a solution. Loved your discussion about Annie she sounds wonderful. And one of the suggestions about freezing for later use is a real helpful idea.
oh wow the anti chicken killing dog comments abound today!..for certain it is a bad thing that I am equally certain you are more concerned about than any of the commenters..and the idea of getting rid of the dogs is really unacceptable. I have had “runaway” dogs in the past, just no matter what I would do they would get out and go exploring and then come home, and my live started to revolve around how to keep them inside the fence or house. I have fostered dogs in the past and some breeds just love to run, mine fortunately like to be in the house next to me. Sorry you are going through that agony, but equally certain you will find a solution. Loved your discussion about Annie she sounds wonderful. And one of the suggestions about freezing for later use is a real helpful idea.
Dear Kristi,
I sympathize and have witnessed how differently our dear dogs can act while in the company of another. How very precious your accounting of your time with your dear neighbor Annie. I know I would love her! That she is one to learn from is evident. More and more I am seeking this simple, queit life; turning to nature for her strength and peace, priorities right now.
The afternoon before reading this post, I was at the creek commenting on how few stinging nettles were growing there this year. I have used them in the past and some current reading has revived my interest in nettles and dandelions. Thank you for the link to explore their many benefits. How wonderful to find nature’s healing free in our own back yards.
I am looking forward to part two of your story. I am glad that you do get the opportunity to hear Jane’s talk after all; what an extraordinary event.
xoxo
Dear Kristi,
I sympathize and have witnessed how differently our dear dogs can act while in the company of another. How very precious your accounting of your time with your dear neighbor Annie. I know I would love her! That she is one to learn from is evident. More and more I am seeking this simple, queit life; turning to nature for her strength and peace, priorities right now.
The afternoon before reading this post, I was at the creek commenting on how few stinging nettles were growing there this year. I have used them in the past and some current reading has revived my interest in nettles and dandelions. Thank you for the link to explore their many benefits. How wonderful to find nature’s healing free in our own back yards.
I am looking forward to part two of your story. I am glad that you do get the opportunity to hear Jane’s talk after all; what an extraordinary event.
xoxo
Dear kristi
Enjoy your blogs! I, too, think U apologize too much sometimes…most of us know U do everything right with your animals…but life happens & when it does, we do what we can to make things right & move on….it occurs to me ,frequently, that some “animal lovers” are often callus about people and think nothing of being harsh and hurtful to them….lack of consciousness can be a terrible thing! Bon courage et bonne chance!
Dear kristi
Enjoy your blogs! I, too, think U apologize too much sometimes…most of us know U do everything right with your animals…but life happens & when it does, we do what we can to make things right & move on….it occurs to me ,frequently, that some “animal lovers” are often callus about people and think nothing of being harsh and hurtful to them….lack of consciousness can be a terrible thing! Bon courage et bonne chance!
Dear Kristi,
I’ve been reading on and off for years your wonderful blog. For the first time, I want to comment as a way of sending some love and good vibes your way. Just as some dogs are wired to run after the excitement of wing-flapping birds (and cause harm), there are humans who are wired to pass judgement, (and sadly, in a way that is critical and might also cause some pain). I am simultaneously amazed, befuddled, and amused that there are those who would write to you as if they are the know-it-all of all things, as if they are the arbiter of life and everything in it. I think many people, including some of your readers, have difficulty accepting what is, and appreciating that in spite of trying one’s best, unfortunately things can still go wrong. Your dogs are part of your life, and a part of this enjoyable blog. Go ahead and apologize all you want (or not). You are just you being you (and your dogs, in spite of possible fencing and/or training, are just being dogs). You are generous and your personality is lovely. I rarely have the time to peruse the comments from your readers and so someone has probably written before, I imagine, that by virtue of sharing the intimacy of your life with us all, you make yourself vulnerable to feedback that might hurt. Those wired to pass judging comments might not intend or realize the critical way their remarks might be perceived. It hurt me to read some of the comments. It would hurt me more to think you might be hurt by them because you are the one giving so much. Things happen and life goes on…(although maybe not for all chickens). I hope this blog will too! It’s a gem in my inbox when I find it there.
Thank you,
Sarah in Bay Area
Dear Kristi,
I’ve been reading on and off for years your wonderful blog. For the first time, I want to comment as a way of sending some love and good vibes your way. Just as some dogs are wired to run after the excitement of wing-flapping birds (and cause harm), there are humans who are wired to pass judgement, (and sadly, in a way that is critical and might also cause some pain). I am simultaneously amazed, befuddled, and amused that there are those who would write to you as if they are the know-it-all of all things, as if they are the arbiter of life and everything in it. I think many people, including some of your readers, have difficulty accepting what is, and appreciating that in spite of trying one’s best, unfortunately things can still go wrong. Your dogs are part of your life, and a part of this enjoyable blog. Go ahead and apologize all you want (or not). You are just you being you (and your dogs, in spite of possible fencing and/or training, are just being dogs). You are generous and your personality is lovely. I rarely have the time to peruse the comments from your readers and so someone has probably written before, I imagine, that by virtue of sharing the intimacy of your life with us all, you make yourself vulnerable to feedback that might hurt. Those wired to pass judging comments might not intend or realize the critical way their remarks might be perceived. It hurt me to read some of the comments. It would hurt me more to think you might be hurt by them because you are the one giving so much. Things happen and life goes on…(although maybe not for all chickens). I hope this blog will too! It’s a gem in my inbox when I find it there.
Thank you,
Sarah in Bay Area
You seriously need to apologize to ALL the neighbors, not just the one who lost the chickens. You have killer dogs that need to be restrained. Spare a thought for the poor people who lost, or may lose, their livestock. I raise ducks and I would have thrown more than stones at your dogs!
You seriously need to apologize to ALL the neighbors, not just the one who lost the chickens. You have killer dogs that need to be restrained. Spare a thought for the poor people who lost, or may lose, their livestock. I raise ducks and I would have thrown more than stones at your dogs!