I don't have a story to go with today's word. Tout simplement, I learned it Friday night on the backstreets, or les ruelles, of Cassis. About a hundred steps from the old port, Jean-Marc and I were dining with another couple when the word ristourne popped up in conversation. Here's what it means, followed by a few photos on this quiet Wednesday. First, please visit today's sponsor:
High quality vacation rental in the heart of Provence. Recommended by readers. Click here for photos
une ristourne
: a discount, a reduction, a price knock-off
Listen to today's word in the following sentencee, read by Jean-Marc
L'amour n'est pas une dette à rembourser, il ne fait pas de crédit, il n'accepte pas les ristournes. – Federico Moccia
Love is not a debt to repay, it does not issue a credit, it does not accept rebates.
While out on a walk with Smokey…we visited the dog designated beach. After a swim, we stopped by the circus, which was passing through town.
One of my favorite free pasttimes, besides walking with Smokey, is to stop by this old telephone booth that has been repurposed into a street library! The shelves are made of wooden crates, and the pickings are slim, but the books are ever changing! Part of the fun is to see what's new each time we pass by. The same two dozen used books are there–with several new ones exchanged into the mix…
Here is the first free book I scored! It is loaded with beautiful color illustrations of plants and their healing properties, which is right up my alley!
More books by the famous French herbalist, Maurice Mességué:
Way to Natural Health and Beauty
Of People and Plants: Autobiography of Europe's Most Celebrated Healer
Admittedly, trigonometry is less up my alley…but just look at this cool book cover!
Quelle trouvaille! What a find–and just in the nick of time! A book all about snoring. I'm hoping there will be some good tips in here so that when I fly to the States, in December, I do not keep all 300+ passengers on the plane awake! There is no way to do chambre à part in this high-elevation situation.
Thanks, Polly-Vous Français, for pointing out the book's cover drawing is by Sempé
Name some of the good things in life that are free. I would love to read your ideas and be inspired by your words.
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Great score Kristi: Mon herbier de santé. Probably a collector’s piece.
I was lucky to get his books when I was in Provence last (1987!).
Maurice Mességué only just passed away in June.
Our chère Natalia,
May all these lovely images of what is free in life… be a room full of flowers surrounding your dear Lissy after her operation. An outpouring of love and support is another something free ☀️. May it lift you, Rod, and dear Lissy, too 💛💛
Just picked up a book from the free book box in Faverges here in the Alps. Today it was ‘Trois Contes’ by Flaubert, so that will be quite challenging! As you say Kristi, there are always gems to find.
Other free pleasures? Autumnal trees are among my favourites and fresh air out in the beautiful campagne.
Free are the autumn colors which are surrounding us right now juxtaposed against the blue sky with cumulus clouds drifting by. The beach on which we can walk and breathe in the ocean air.
Kathleen
Kristi, I loved looking at the snapshots from your walk with Smokey. I especially enjoyed reading about the telephone booth that has become a street library. In Canada and the U.S., Little Free Libraries have popped up in many charming locations in the recent years (https://littlefreelibrary.org/) and this reminds me of that concept. I have contributed books to the library in the past, and have picked up a couple of gems from what had been left there previously. These days, my favourite gifts are from my garden, which we are trying out in NZ for the first time. The kale and spinach are abundant, and we get to enjoy the odd strawberry, as we only planted four strawberry plants. Our first little courgette is growing nicely, as is one tomato plant that appears to be thriving. A few others are not as lucky, and I’m trying to work out the reason for that. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying the process of watching it grow. Oh! Oh! Also, in the past couple of days, our family has been enjoying watching thousands of tiny praying mantis insects hatch from the eggs that had been left around our property before we had moved in, generously deposited by a hopeful mother. My husband is fascinated by insects, and although I don’t share in that same enthusiasm, it’s incredibly interesting to watch them hatch.
What’s free in a way is our life NOW. Those who are old and those who are ill, often say they would give anything for more TIME. The older I get, the more I realise that time is infinitely precious. It’s ours to do what we want to do, at least in the immediate future. Yes, there are limitations, but we can look around and see and enjoy many of the wonderful things suggested by readers of this post – and Kristi. Love to all.
In reply to Don .Yes I have walked there when I visited my son who lives in Oakland !
Meditation is free, healing body, mind, and spirit! Every beautiful thing your bloggers mention is amplified through awareness. Oneness, service, just giving smiles, LOVE … all freeing … and free. And endless gratitude, too! Thank you, Kristi!
We have Little Lending Libraries in our neighborhood. Most recent book I found is Talk to the Snail, 10 Commandments for Understanding the French. First chapter discusses French post office “customer service”. Very amusing.
The amazing free information on the internet! It’s truly remarkable how it has changed lives. Your blog is an example of this.
Mary Liz
Washington DC
Yes, the Internet! Advice and tales from your elders. Birds singing, sunshine, plants, trees, flowers, growing wild, PBS and BBC tv shows, espec, Doc Martin, books all over the place, (just got and left my first books in a tiny, road-side Lending Library, honey fresh from a hive, dogs’ love, which is “free, boundless, and they ask for othing in return. They just love you unconditionally and forever, the truest form of love. And our water from our wells. Free water, cold and delicious, on the farm. And in a way, doesn’t God shower blessings for free? As a Sr. Adult, I surely see this now.