TODAY'S WORD: Cinquante
: Fifty
Il a cinquante ans = He's 50
EXAMPLE SENTENCE & Sound File
Click here and listen to our son, Max, read the following French
L'âge atteint par un quinquagénaire.
The age reached by a 50-year-old
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Jean-Marc turned 50 this week, but the surprises began on Monday, when two dear friends popped in from Florida. You may remember Charles from a post written in 2008–when he came to help us pick grapes — after he had a quadruple bypass heart surgery! It was a good thing Charles showed up at the beginning of our vineyard experience because he taught us there was no wimping out or complaining of a bad back when picking grapes!
Charles brought his wife, Martha, who might have wimped out at our first harvest. Charles says that's because "She's a princess." But he also says she's a bulldog (able to get French government employees to give the straight story. A feat, if you ask me!). Princess? Bulldog? Martha is one cool nana .
Jean-Marc surprised us by a sentimental tour of Marseilles, including a stop at the Vallon des Auffes, a drive past his neighborhood Le Roy d'Espagne, and a stop at Le Vin Sobre where he works every other weekend.
Yesterday it was Jean-Marc's turn to be surprised when Charles and Martha crashed our birthday lunch at Les Oliviers restaurant at L'Hôtel Ile Rousse in Bandol. We forgive them. And thank them for treating us!
The restaurant allowed Jean-Marc to share a very special bottle of wine from his cave: a Chambolle Musigny 1967. Charles, Martha, and The Birthday Boy were sipping in extasy as the other clients looked on like mendiants!
I downed my water and imagined the taste of that 50-year-old bottle of heaven (Martha, Charles, and The Birthday Boy were now speaking in tongues–or some such holy language.)
After, we had massages californiens at the spa steps up from the beach, and then said goodbye to Charles and La Nana at the Bandol train station.
There were a few more surprises in store for Jean-Marc. Maybe one day I'll tell you about those. This Birthday Wife is now hors de la vapeur (out of steam?). It's time to refuel avec le déjeuner (leftover pizza and le gâteau d'anniversaire from last night).
FRENCH VOCABULARY
une nana = girl, chick
la cave = cellar, wine cellar
un mendiant = beggar
le massage californien = California massage
avec le déjeuner = with lunch
le gâteau d'anniversaire = birthday cake
Reverse Dictionary
to run out of steam = caler, être en perte de vitesse
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What a wonderful surprise! I remember meeting Charles at a wine tasting in Brooklyn with Jean-Marc. I had arranged for JM to stay in one of the law school’s apartment during his NYC stint. Both Charles and JM look wonderful.
Hi Kristi,
What a great day and a wonderful 50th birthday for Jean-Marc! I just turned double nickels! YIKES!
A big day for sure. I can imagine the pleasure of tasting the birthday wine and in such a lovely setting. Happy Birthday!
Lovely photos! Exceptional!
Happy Birthday JM!! You have experienced many beautiful places as the photos show and you and K will explore many more. Happy Birthday
A very happy day to you…but at 50 you are still a baby! The best years are yet to come!
Jean Marc doesn’t look a day over forty. You must be looking after him well!
Surprise visits are always fun! Bonne anniversaries, JM! Profitez de tous les jours!
Darn autocorrect! Bonne anniversaire!
OH to be just “cinquante “!!!! Bonne Sante!!
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. Victor Hugo said it well, except for the old age part. I think I prefer “Fifty is the new thirty”! Happy 50th to Jean-Marc.
Continue to celebrate life in your unique way – hope that Jean-Marc’s birthday was very special.
What a great way to celebrate.
xoxo
Your comments about Charles and me are very sweet. Thank you! We were so glad to share the time with you and JM!
Love, Princess Bulldog Nana
Joyeux anniversaire, Jean-Marc! Vous avez maintenant la seconde moitié du siècle à vivre !!!
Felicitations, Jean-Marc!
Life begins at 50!!
Best regards,
Tom
Happy 50th to Jean-Marc! Love the idea of uncorking a beautiful wine from the same vintage as his birth- hope it was delicious!
Happy 50th. Loved the pictures. I have fond memories of that area.
Jean-Marc: Meilleurs voeux au moment de votre anniversaire! Que la grande aventure continue!
Happy Birthday! I turned 50 shortly after my grandmother’s 100th. My youngest said, “Wow, Mom, you’re old!” Her brother, just 13 months older, said, “No, Mom is just half old. Great Nana’s old!”
Max said more than was written. Mon pére a eu cinquante ans hier. That is what I think was his second sentence. Did I guess right? And Bon anniversaire á JM. So young to have 2 children in college!
Thank you, Sarah. Yes, I forgot to add that part in. I will update the blog.
Thank you all for these comments. I enjoy every one and they always bring a smile (like Annes comment above. Love it!)
You Look Marvelous, Jean-Marc, and 50 never looked so good!
I enjoy listening to you read passages in your native tongue on Kristi’s website.
Heureux Anniversaire!
Our dear Kristi,
Blessings always and special birthday wishes to Jean Marc!
No better way to celebrate than with your cherished wife and dear friends!
Such a terrific time of your lives,with more happiness on the horizon.
We share your joy!!
Love
Natalia XO
HAPPY BIRTHDAy, Jean-Marc!! Thank you, Kristi, for sharing all of the excitement and loveliness of the day with your readers.
Best wishes for all.
Happy Birthday, Jean-Marc, and Best Wishes for Many, Many More! We will celebrate you with a wine toast this evening here in Oregon. Sincerely, Leslie
JM je vous souhaite un très bon anniversaire, bonheur, santé et souviens vous que l’age c’est emportant seulement, si vous est fromage ou vin 😉
Le Chambolle Musigny 1967, perfect pour célébrer votre anniversaire. Santé!!
Happy belated “Special Birthday ” dear Jean- Marc
I did write you yesterday, but I’m on a little island in French Polynesia. Our internet went out because of a storm. It’s better today.
I’ve enjoyed following your story for over a year now.
J’aime beaucoup la France, surtout le Sud.
J’étais là-bas en Septembre dernier.
Best wishes to you and Kristi
Marianne
Bonne Anniversaire, Jean-Marc! What a glorious way to celebrate., you handsome devil! Two kids in college, and so young, ready to rock n roll, see the world, hike the mountains! The best is yet to come!! Enjoy!
Jean-Marc, felicitations a l’occasion de votre cinquantieme anniversaire! C’est un jour special. Je suis heureuse de voir dans les photos que vous avez l’air calme et en bonne sante (dans les photos il y a quelques mois, vous sembliez tres fatigue).
Je vous souhaite une annee pleine d’espoir, de joie, et d’aventures – peut-etre meme quelques jours aux Etats-Unis.
Bon anniversaire!
Marianne
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Why does this item not ship to New Zealand? I order things from many countries and do not have this problem.
Hi Catherine,
We have the same problem here – not all items from Amazon.com ship to the States. Thanks for having tried to order!
Bonne Anniversaire, JM! je vous souhaite bonne chance pour l’avenir.
Felicitations, Jean-Marc. et beaucopu d’annnees de plus!
We must be telepathic. My husband, son & I toasted you all with some Mas de Burn last night. Happy birthday, Jean-Marc.
Ahem….isn’t it “de la Garde”?? And agree with the others — les photos sont superbes!!
I”m sorry it is so late but JOYEUSE ANNIVERSAIRE to Jean-Marc! Maintenant il a cinquante ans of learning, loving his famille, et putting his determination, hard work, and growing skills. May this vieux homme assure him that the future holds a full life that will provide many more happy memories and a sense of fulfillment.
I should have written “using” in place of “et putting” — just another error by a man who is very close to 90 years old
A bit late but from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank you all for all the sweet birthday wishes.
Cheers!
Chief Grape
A story for Jean-Marc a bit after his birthday. We threw an impromptu retirement party for the last of our circle of friends–the baby, you might say–this past Sunday night. A week before, we had to go back to Alexandria VA (from our home here in Baltimore) to meet with our tax preparation specialist. I had seen that Planet Wine in Alexandria had Mas de Brun Rose 2016 so I called to reserve a couple of bottles. We picked them up and served them Sunday at the retirement party. They were a HUGE hit. Indeed, the daughter of the new retiree just got her PHD in chemistry (in California) and is about to accept a wine research position in Bordeaux. She knows her wines. Jean-Marc, that wine is simply outstanding. I’m trying to figure an excuse/reason to drive 50 miles to get more bottles. Maybe that is excuse/reason enough.