Month: April 2018

Dental Issues, Health, Health care

Alarming news at the Dentist’s + Jackie applies for Fashion school in Marseille

Thursday we went to Marseille for a few appointments. Jean-Marc took the opportunity to drive us through our old neighborhood, in Le Roucas Blanc (our first home was there on the left, behind the house with the blue shutters–at the end of the Impasse Gagliardo. On the hilltop, you are seeing the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde). We also passed the church in which we were … Continue reading Alarming news at the Dentist’s + Jackie applies for Fashion school in Marseille

Kristin Espinasse64 Comments
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Caboter: A relaxing, agreeable thing to do along the coastline in France

 Ça y est! Part 1 of our La Ciotat renovation ended this week! We've been busy tying up dozens of loose ends, so it was wonderful to get away from it all via a little boat ride up the coast! Read about a breathtaking petite escapade from La Ciotat to Cassis in today's column, below. Today's word: caboter     : to navigate from port … Continue reading Caboter: A relaxing, agreeable thing to do along the coastline in France

Kristin Espinasse27 Comments
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Glâner: a useful, necessary, verb for Earth Day 2018

April 22nd is Earth Day. Reading about our earth's demise has me thinking of a little known French verb — a verb underdog if you like.  Meet the humble Glaner ("to glean"). Certain French artists highlighted the practice years ago–making the art of gleaning as fashionable as the art of wandering. In other words, it's time to glaner as you flâner! Please read today's story. TODAY'S WORD: glaner (glah-nay) … Continue reading Glâner: a useful, necessary, verb for Earth Day 2018

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Dégouliner: the rain trickled, dripped, and poured but it didn’t keep us from touring La Ciotat

Something about these reptilian tiles tells me they are not as old as our church (built here in La Ciotat in 1603. The cement tiles, it turns out, were set down 8 months ago, during a partial renovation). I do like them, though, and you? Some say the salamander is symbolic. Of what, I wonder? My friends from North Dakota and I had hurried into … Continue reading Dégouliner: the rain trickled, dripped, and poured but it didn’t keep us from touring La Ciotat

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Quel temps de cochon! Beastly weather in La Ciotat, Cassis, and Sanary-sur-Mer!

Out now! Jackie Clark Mancuso's latest in her much-beloved Hudson series: "An expatriate dog in Paris meets a young stray and helps him search for home…via a whirwind tour of Paris with stops at Hudson's favorite haunts." Order a copy here.un temps de cochon     : lousy weather, beastly weather,  Thanks to my friend Dominique for sharing today's expression! Audio File: Quel temps de cochon: click … Continue reading Quel temps de cochon! Beastly weather in La Ciotat, Cassis, and Sanary-sur-Mer!

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Piquer une tête: An insider’s guide on where to swim in Marseilles

Today's is a French-only edition written by my sister-in-law, Cécile. Test your reading comprehension and let us know in the comments how well you understood the story. Many thanks and enjoy!) PIQUER UNE TETE     : to take a dip, to go swimming 365 Days of French Expressions: Learn one new French Expression per Day BEST PLACES TO SWIM IN MARSEILLES     by … Continue reading Piquer une tête: An insider’s guide on where to swim in Marseilles

Kristin Espinasse19 Comments
TAXES

A funny IRS story from France

Mailboxes in Marseilles. Today, read about a letter I received from the IRS….Today's word: le fisc américain   : the IRS 365 Days of French Expressions: Learn one new French Expression per Day Example Sentence : Depuis 2014, les Français nés aux Etats-Unis sont tenus de déclarer leurs revenus au fisc américain, voire de payer des impôts aux Etats-Unis alors qu'ils n'y ont jamais vécu.-ladepeche.fr  Since … Continue reading A funny IRS story from France

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
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Partir en vrille: Approaching Two Decades of Sobriety when a “loaded” piece of chocolate leads to a lapse (or a relapse?)

Autumn excursion in France, especially for women – "Women in Burgundy: Life, Laughter, and the French Paradox” October 18 to 27, 2018 – includes two nights in Paris. Click HERE for details. Today's French expression: partir en vrille     : to spin out of control, to go astray, to go south, to run amok, to go off the deep end Click here to listen to "partir … Continue reading Partir en vrille: Approaching Two Decades of Sobriety when a “loaded” piece of chocolate leads to a lapse (or a relapse?)

Kristin Espinasse63 Comments