With all the time I have on my hands since letting my emails go unanswered, you may wonder what I'm up to? Netting figs! And on a less glamorous note, I am caring more for my home and family (this last one is a "sentimental" note). Read on.
courriel (kohr-ee-el)
courriel = le courrier électronique
Le courrier électronique existait avant Internet et fut un outil précieux lors de la création de celui-ci. Email existed before internet and was a useful tool when creating it (internet).
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
In France, a translation for electronic mail exists (for the record it's "courriel") though the majority of French people I know use the English term. French or English, email is a force that rules our our emotions, which can go up and down like a mail-truck on a montagne russe.
Apart from our heartstrings, email sometimes rules our lives. After beginning this blog in October of 2002, I had the privilege and honor of hearing from people from all over the world. My inbox grew by the year and I answered every single letter, interacting with a rainbow of readers. From a retired artist in Australia to a 12-year-old in my home town of Phoenix, I got to know complete strangers endearingly. Births, marriages, retirements, illnesses, deaths–times a hundred, two hundred. Meantime, in the background, loomed my close-knit family. And then a string came undone. And another….
Sitting here now, as upright as a half-knit sock, I am trying to mend loose ends after an ambitious decade of electronic correspondence. I am trying to re-prioritise. To remember my father's birthday this year.
Please excuse this erratic story. I meant to post a rerun–then make lunch, take my daughter back-to-school shopping, and prepare for a family dinner tonight (with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, we're going to talk about my belle-mère's situation.)
As for email, I'm signing off for good–unless your name is Mom or Dad or Best Friend or "State Lottery Official." (Just kidding! …about the State Lottery Official.)
Love,
Kristi
(Writing today's letter was as hard as saying "no." If you do reply to this post, via the link at the end, please do so with support. I need it, just as you do.)
French Vocab
montagne russe = roller coaster
la belle-mère = mother-in-law
That pomegranate tree I told you about. The fruit needs more time to ripen, so we took my mother-in-law a hand-picked bouquet of flowers instead (bougainvillea and sunflowers. It was sweet!)
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It is montagne russe. Montaigne was a French writer. Montagne means mountain.
It is montagne russe. Montaigne was a French writer. Montagne means mountain.
Kristin – Sending love and telepathic hugs your way! Am writing this from Paris with my husband and daughter while on vacation (er, a business trip). I, too, made a change of course this summer when I reduced my cheffing hours at the bakery-cafe in order to “take care of me” (find a better life balance). It was hard, almost foreign at first, to change routine. Starting a business and having a family at the same time those years ago was rewarding and I’ll be the first to admit that I focused primarily on the business. Now, ten years later, I am re-fashioning the scenario. I had to find ways to express to others why and what I was doing. It is critical to my mental well-being to take care of myself. I applaud your changes, too, and hope you find a way to preserve your wonderful self while focusing on your family. Love, Chef Katherine, Denver, Colorado
Kristin – Sending love and telepathic hugs your way! Am writing this from Paris with my husband and daughter while on vacation (er, a business trip). I, too, made a change of course this summer when I reduced my cheffing hours at the bakery-cafe in order to “take care of me” (find a better life balance). It was hard, almost foreign at first, to change routine. Starting a business and having a family at the same time those years ago was rewarding and I’ll be the first to admit that I focused primarily on the business. Now, ten years later, I am re-fashioning the scenario. I had to find ways to express to others why and what I was doing. It is critical to my mental well-being to take care of myself. I applaud your changes, too, and hope you find a way to preserve your wonderful self while focusing on your family. Love, Chef Katherine, Denver, Colorado
Kristin, thank you once again for sharing your life and stories with us. I wish to convey all the thoughts as expressed previously by Therese from N.J.
It seems so strange but last night I was listening to a “talking book”cd of her life as told by a well known English actress towards the end she is in as much distress as her elderly mother of 90 who she believes needs to enter a nursing home. It leaves me in a dilemna because as I now at 85 am finding I am losing the use of my hands and not able to walk very far, should I now chose where I may wish to live for the rest of my life as although I have 6 children I dont wish to leave it for them to make the decision at a later time. I believe whatever decision is made will be for your dear lady’s welfare and your love will always be with her. merci for giving us an opportunity to share your days of joys and sadness for isn’t that what life is all about
your ami artiste June Qld
Kristin, thank you once again for sharing your life and stories with us. I wish to convey all the thoughts as expressed previously by Therese from N.J.
It seems so strange but last night I was listening to a “talking book”cd of her life as told by a well known English actress towards the end she is in as much distress as her elderly mother of 90 who she believes needs to enter a nursing home. It leaves me in a dilemna because as I now at 85 am finding I am losing the use of my hands and not able to walk very far, should I now chose where I may wish to live for the rest of my life as although I have 6 children I dont wish to leave it for them to make the decision at a later time. I believe whatever decision is made will be for your dear lady’s welfare and your love will always be with her. merci for giving us an opportunity to share your days of joys and sadness for isn’t that what life is all about
your ami artiste June Qld
Dear Kristin,
You are admired and loved by your readers, family and all who know you. You have made the right decision … one you should have probably made long ago. (It never occurred to me that you tried to return emails to hundreds/thousands of your readers.) FWAD remains a fantastic gift to all of us! Thank you. My very best wishes, Cynthia
Dear Kristin,
You are admired and loved by your readers, family and all who know you. You have made the right decision … one you should have probably made long ago. (It never occurred to me that you tried to return emails to hundreds/thousands of your readers.) FWAD remains a fantastic gift to all of us! Thank you. My very best wishes, Cynthia
Kristi, your blog is your email to all of us. I support your decision wholeheartedly!
Kristi, your blog is your email to all of us. I support your decision wholeheartedly!
Hi Kristi – good for you….all my family & friends have quit the long emails and instead phone if long distance or short message for intown meetups and then catch up on each other’s news…… like we did before email. Email can eat up half your life – better just to get outside and enjoy. I’m sure Smokey & Braise & all would agree.
Many cheers!
Vada
Hi Kristi – good for you….all my family & friends have quit the long emails and instead phone if long distance or short message for intown meetups and then catch up on each other’s news…… like we did before email. Email can eat up half your life – better just to get outside and enjoy. I’m sure Smokey & Braise & all would agree.
Many cheers!
Vada
Hi Kristin,
I have time to write only this-Bravo!
love and kisses, Joan
Hi Kristin,
I have time to write only this-Bravo!
love and kisses, Joan
We all have to focus on what is important. The trade offs are difficult. Congratulations for making your decision to focus on what is most important and necessary for you at this time.
We all have to focus on what is important. The trade offs are difficult. Congratulations for making your decision to focus on what is most important and necessary for you at this time.
Good call, Kristi! You’d lose your sanity if you tried to maintain your current pace! I couldn’t even get through reading all the posts from your FWAD devotees (although I did read most of them), I can’t imagine how many hours it took you to read, then reply to all the emails you must receive. Earlier this year I became overwhelmed with my daily addiction to Facebook. I was leaving important chores undone and agitating Mark because I “constantly had my nose in my iPad”. I completely gave it up for 5 months then slowly transitioned into a schedule of several days a week. I am able to follow the main thread of my friends’ lives without becoming completely overtaken by their day to day activities. I got to thinking about it and realized that before FB, I didn’t call all these people everyday or write a snail mail letter everyday. Why was I trying to maintain constant communication? We are too hard on ourselves oftentimes! Now, concentrate on what fills your life, not what drains it! Your loyal virtual friends will always be supporting you quietly in the background.
Good call, Kristi! You’d lose your sanity if you tried to maintain your current pace! I couldn’t even get through reading all the posts from your FWAD devotees (although I did read most of them), I can’t imagine how many hours it took you to read, then reply to all the emails you must receive. Earlier this year I became overwhelmed with my daily addiction to Facebook. I was leaving important chores undone and agitating Mark because I “constantly had my nose in my iPad”. I completely gave it up for 5 months then slowly transitioned into a schedule of several days a week. I am able to follow the main thread of my friends’ lives without becoming completely overtaken by their day to day activities. I got to thinking about it and realized that before FB, I didn’t call all these people everyday or write a snail mail letter everyday. Why was I trying to maintain constant communication? We are too hard on ourselves oftentimes! Now, concentrate on what fills your life, not what drains it! Your loyal virtual friends will always be supporting you quietly in the background.
Obviously the correct decision for you because you believe it is. I know that everyone understands. Will continue to look forward to you All the very best wishes 3X weekly post.
All the very best wishes.
Obviously the correct decision for you because you believe it is. I know that everyone understands. Will continue to look forward to you All the very best wishes 3X weekly post.
All the very best wishes.
Total support to your decision. Once again, you show your kindness of heart. It’s definitely not a failure, but a victory of love.
My best wishes to you and your family (special ones for your mother-in-law).
Bisous
Total support to your decision. Once again, you show your kindness of heart. It’s definitely not a failure, but a victory of love.
My best wishes to you and your family (special ones for your mother-in-law).
Bisous
Support Support Support Support Support
Hey, Kristin —
You can’t make yourself crazy. And don’t make yourself crazy feeling guilty about what you have to do to keep from making yourself crazy.
Y’know, some of us writers wish we had so much e-mail we couldn’t answer it all.
All the best,
Bruce
Support Support Support Support Support
Hey, Kristin —
You can’t make yourself crazy. And don’t make yourself crazy feeling guilty about what you have to do to keep from making yourself crazy.
Y’know, some of us writers wish we had so much e-mail we couldn’t answer it all.
All the best,
Bruce
Dear Kristin,
May you be filled with peace and love as you read the words of encouragement and blessings sent to you at this time. Your courage and honesty has been a blessing to me. You are a beautiful and creative woman, such an inspiration. Your love and light shines in all that you do! Forge ahead in your journey!
Much love, Heidi Wiens
Dear Kristin,
May you be filled with peace and love as you read the words of encouragement and blessings sent to you at this time. Your courage and honesty has been a blessing to me. You are a beautiful and creative woman, such an inspiration. Your love and light shines in all that you do! Forge ahead in your journey!
Much love, Heidi Wiens
You are doing exactly the correct thing – we should all be so wise to prioritize and revisit that every few years. You and your family are loved by thousands because you have opened your life in your blog. But family and health are always first. Do what you need to do – we, your readers – will support you.
You are doing exactly the correct thing – we should all be so wise to prioritize and revisit that every few years. You and your family are loved by thousands because you have opened your life in your blog. But family and health are always first. Do what you need to do – we, your readers – will support you.
Dear Kristi,
Bravo! It can be so hard to say no but we have to prioritize to remain sane. Most of us have way too few hours in the day to complete all the tasks we would like to & it’s also important to have some time just for ourselves. I have rarely commented lately because my inbox is over full &, by the time I finally get to read your blog, I feel my comments are quite dated. Please know your family are in my prayers as I feel like you all are part of my family.
Hugs!
Dear Kristi,
Bravo! It can be so hard to say no but we have to prioritize to remain sane. Most of us have way too few hours in the day to complete all the tasks we would like to & it’s also important to have some time just for ourselves. I have rarely commented lately because my inbox is over full &, by the time I finally get to read your blog, I feel my comments are quite dated. Please know your family are in my prayers as I feel like you all are part of my family.
Hugs!
Always real life over recorded stuff. Always stop the movie/TV to talk to someone face to face, put down the phone/iPad. You’ve done the right thing. Carry on. Best Regards, Ken
Always real life over recorded stuff. Always stop the movie/TV to talk to someone face to face, put down the phone/iPad. You’ve done the right thing. Carry on. Best Regards, Ken
Bravo, bravo, bravo…..ask Jean-Marc to give you a hug for me!!!
Bravo, bravo, bravo…..ask Jean-Marc to give you a hug for me!!!
Kristin, you are so loving and giving, of course you are seeing the sadness in letting go. But, fear not!
Your virtual friends will still joyfully connect with you here. (I am loving all this support!)
I see this choice of yours as a symbol of how much you have grown! I hope you do, too! (Originally, I was thinking of your lovely business of writing, but perhaps in setting boundaries, too 🙂
Congratulations on all your success!
Blessings to you and your family as you navigate the road ahead.
Kristin, you are so loving and giving, of course you are seeing the sadness in letting go. But, fear not!
Your virtual friends will still joyfully connect with you here. (I am loving all this support!)
I see this choice of yours as a symbol of how much you have grown! I hope you do, too! (Originally, I was thinking of your lovely business of writing, but perhaps in setting boundaries, too 🙂
Congratulations on all your success!
Blessings to you and your family as you navigate the road ahead.
I’m a little late in catching up with your post, but I just want to add my support for you, Kristin. You are so wise to step back and re-prioritize. Your faithful readers will still be here for you. We understand that you must put your family first. Thank you for your wonderful blog!
I’m a little late in catching up with your post, but I just want to add my support for you, Kristin. You are so wise to step back and re-prioritize. Your faithful readers will still be here for you. We understand that you must put your family first. Thank you for your wonderful blog!
Life is too short to attend to every email. I am grateful for the personal notes shared but mostly am grateful for your wonderful blog.
Some day I may meet you in person…at a wine tasting or in Paris…we shall see.
Bonne Chance!
Life is too short to attend to every email. I am grateful for the personal notes shared but mostly am grateful for your wonderful blog.
Some day I may meet you in person…at a wine tasting or in Paris…we shall see.
Bonne Chance!
TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE!!
Dear Kristin,
Do not feel any pain or regret in having made this difficult decision. Your intimate family and friends SHOULD be your priority! The rest of us are just happy to have the occasional glimpse into your “presumed” idyllic life in the south of France (!) as we learn from you these gentle lessons in French!
Bon courage! (from and fan and friend for the past ten + years! My first signed book from you is dated 2004!)
TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE!!
Dear Kristin,
Do not feel any pain or regret in having made this difficult decision. Your intimate family and friends SHOULD be your priority! The rest of us are just happy to have the occasional glimpse into your “presumed” idyllic life in the south of France (!) as we learn from you these gentle lessons in French!
Bon courage! (from and fan and friend for the past ten + years! My first signed book from you is dated 2004!)
Kudos! Boundaries are important, as is taking care of ourselves. Life is and ebb and flow and you embraced the emails while you had the time, and now they are not the best choice for your time. A wise friend tells me, “There are a lot of good choices, but there is a best choice.”
Kudos! Boundaries are important, as is taking care of ourselves. Life is and ebb and flow and you embraced the emails while you had the time, and now they are not the best choice for your time. A wise friend tells me, “There are a lot of good choices, but there is a best choice.”
Family is so important. I am glad you have made this very important decision for you and family. Everyday is fleeting. Enjoy the moment.
Family is so important. I am glad you have made this very important decision for you and family. Everyday is fleeting. Enjoy the moment.