Come to our home, this Monday, April 20th at 3p.m. for snacks and a winetasting. (We live near Bandol) To reserve your seat, email kristin.espinasse@gmail.com (p.s if the fava beans are ready, we'll try some 🙂
droit au but (dwaht-oh-bewt)
- to go straight to the goal, directly to the goal
- to get right to the point
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc read the French words (BTW: Did you hear the train whistle? My husband recorded this soundfile while laboring his vinefields! Today he is removing giant rocks, making room for more grapevines. You can hear his strained breathing as he speaks!) Download MP3 or Wav
Smokey est allé doit au but. Il a couru vers le monstre jusqu'à ce que ce dernier fasse demi-tour pour fuir dans la forêt pour toujours ! Smokey went straight to the goal: he ran toward the monster until the latter turned to flee into the forest forever.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Yesterday morning, while putting the finishing touches on my feature story for France Today (Ça y est! C'est fini!) Max popped his head into the bedroom. Reaching down, he patted our youngest dog, who was resting on the floor beside me, after Tuesday's biopsy.
"Ah, do I have a story about Smokey!" Max perked up, his eyes traveling from Smokey to the window, beyond which a great field meets the forest.
"See over there? That is where we saw the wild boar! Mathilde and I were playing fetch with Smokey, when I threw the stick… and a giant sanglier charged out of the forest to collect it!
"Oh mon Dieu! Where was Mathilde?" I asked, worried about Max's girlfriend.
"She stood frozen, tétanisée, between those two olive trees as the boar bolted towards her, the ground thundering beneath its feet!"
Max threw out his arms, trying to describe the beast, which was thrice the size of our golden retriever. "I screamed for Smokey to come back, but he ran in front of Mathilde and charged on towards that boar!"
Max knew what everyone in these parts knows: a dog is no match for a wild boar! Screaming in vain, my son could not stop our dog from pursuing the threat, and so prepared for the worst as Smokey disappeared into the dark forest.
Then suddenly our golden reappeared! Rushing up to the beautiful demoiselle en détresse, he never once stopped to consider his weakness.
* * *
I hope you enjoyed Max's story about Smokey The Wonderdog. I shared several others with you, Tuesday, when I told you about that méchant lump. Bad news is the lab report came back positive for cancer. The vet was not able to operate, as planned, owing to excessive inflammation. More info, below, in these posts shared on Instagram, and here's an uplifting comment we received on Facebook, this one by Vayia M:
He will be fine! Yes, he will!!! Only positive thinking, he deserves it!
Yes, yes! Smokey, you deserve it 🙂
(Yesterday's update, on Instagram) The lump could not be removed today. The surgery is in one week, when the swelling subsides. "It is unfair that dogs get cancer," the vet said, agreeing with Jackie, who tried to make sense of the diagnosis. Looking to the bright side, Smokey has hopeful options–this, in addition to the Super Giant Lucky Star that shines down on him.
His upside down umbrella did not shield him from the deluge of kisses he just received from Jackie. He's now planning on bringing this prop to the beach this summer. And the summer after that. Or, as Karen said, on Facebook, And seven or eight summers after that!
Smokey, when he was a pup.
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Kristen, I am a big believer that all of us that are praying for Smokey and/or sending him Good Energy helps. I know that I will keep up my part and for you and your family as well. He is a special boy, that SmokeyDoke. I certainly have had many of my Golden friends come through cancer and continue on.
Gros, gros bisous (and if you wouldn’t mind planting one on Smokey from me I would so appreciate it),
Heather
Je t’ aime beaucoup, Smokey!
I join all of the loving people above who have expressed their loving energy for all of the Famille Espinasse. Smokey has indeed showed his true heart and courage. My dear Holly Holly Border Collie has gone over the rainbow bridge. She was my black and white daughter. I pray that Smokey will conquer this latest and unfair challenge of his fortitude and fidelity to protect and serve his beloved family. Courage Smokey and many blessings to all of the bystanders. He is a steadfast and true soldier! Harriet sends you healing light and love.
I can’t believe that you might have beans to eat already and so early! Here on the west coast of Canada, we’re just now planning our summer veggie gardens. When did you plant those beans?
Have fun with your guests at the wine tasting!
Just read the news…..Prayers, loads of love and healing energy to precious Smokey and his family. He’s such a beautiful, brave boy, beloved by so many. We stand with you as your dear fur-kid undergoes this next journey. Love and light, Lis xx
Hugs and lots of kisses to sweet, dear Smokey. Get well soon, beautiful, beloved boy.
Best wishes for Smokey’s quick recovery. I know how awful this is as our retriever was just diagnosed with cancer as well. Our dog is older, but it is still so hard.
On a lighter aside, I noticed your lovely sideboard in the picture! My Mom has the exact same piece in her dining room!!
Kristin, I am amazed how I have never met you, yet I hurt for you like you are my sister. I truly have grown to love you through the years,and want you to know I am praying for you and your family. Your friend Eileen
I’m a bit late in commenting as we’re in Pommard for two weeks and had a little trouble getting the Internet to work correctly. We’re sending healing wishes Smokey’s way and will anxiously await the news of his surgery. (I remember well that picture of Smokey and you when he was a puppy, such a sly dog!)
Sending best wishes and lots of positive thoughts Smokey’s way! What a sweet, brave boy he is! I am sure he will come through this with flying colors!
Thinking of you all. All my best wishes, happy and positive thoughts for dear Smokey. Cancer sucks. xxxTracy
I have followed this wonderful dog from the time he was conceived in Marseille by a beautiful Blaise and her beau whose name I have forgotten. Then that dreadful trauma Smokey suffered when he was a pup. You have a big heart Smokey and half the world is praying for a total recovery from your upcoming surgery. I’m just one more two footed person sending love and good wishes to a very special boy😊
I really enjoy reading your blog posts – can’t wait for the next!
Dear sweet Smokey Dog, we wish you all the best with your upcoming surgery. Know you will come bounding through in your winning style. Loving thoughts to your dear famille Espinasse. Big hugs, Pat
My heart and love is with you Smoky and your family. We have 4 dogs , 3 are Labs. My French might not have progressed as I’d like but I’ve watched “Smokion” grow up! We love him so. Know that there’s love and good thoughts from all over the world thinking of you. Xoxo