Sometime during her second week in France, Mom moved out of grandson Max's room and into her own independent "space." Here's a view looking down from my bedroom, to Mom's "front patio" (really just the edge of our driveway that meets the house). In order to block the view of our cars–and the slew of tourists who pass by on their way to the beach–we've set up this privacy wall for Mom. As Jules slowly builds her nest out of what she has been given (a former "a wine cellar" I mentioned previously; in reality it is a badly converted garage…. We plan on renovating it for mom this spring. Meantime, Mom is a trooper even on difficult days when she can't get the old green curtain to slide across the ugly blue rod, or when a big rock (holding up a sink skirt) tumbles off the tiny kitchen counter–hitting her big toe! Then there's the European (only for peein'?) compost toilet. Excuse the bad joke but it helps to laugh at a time like this. (Easy for me to say!) Please wish Jules bon courage as she settles into her new life in France–not as glamorous as it may seem! More in a future post. For now, I have another story for you…
Today's word: OUF!
: phew! (that was a close one!)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
I was all set to tell you about the miraculous relationship between our golden retriever and our chickens…when the former walked in with feathers all over him!
Des plumes partout….
Feathers on his cheeks. Feathers on his nose. Feathers on his lashes and…feathers in his throat? I ran over to my dog as little white puffs drifted to the ground like snowflakes landing on his paws–the gentle descent of plumes in contrast to the chilling scene going on in my mind.
"Smokey! What have you done? Qu'est-ce que t'as fait?!" I pried open my golden retriever's mouth and found feathers stuck on his tongue!
Hurrying outside I searched for our chickens, especially the Sussex hen, "Sweetie." Ouf! There she was–along with her sidekick, "Little Edie," eating her way through our veggie patch. Never was I so happy to see our feathered foragers ransacking the potager!
Sweetie's rump–with all its soft white feathers intact–faced the sky as she pecked at a pumpkin vine, right beside a tomato plant that had literally risen from the ashes and compost beneath her.
I shook my head and smiled but my relief was short lived when I noticed the state of the henhouse: a pile of feathers in the center. The plumes were much longer than chicken feathers… I wondered, C'était la tourterelle? Did one of the doves meet its demise inside?
The turtledoves sometimes wander into the poulailler to glean what seeds remain. I remembered, too, how Smokey sometimes enters the tiny poulailler (the door slightly larger than himself) to do the very same: eat birdseed!
Piecing together the evidence, it seemed Smokey had wittingly or not trapped a dove inside…and the temptation was apparently too much! My heart sank.
My mom searched the yard before delivering some good news: no dove to be found. The little tourterelle surely made it out of the henhouse and back up to the telephone line or its nest nearby.
Of course, there is that possibility that Smokey swallowed the little creature whole…. Quelle horreur! Perhaps we'd do better to focus on life's beautiful mysteries–such as how a bird dog continues to live in harmony with a couple of hens. Indeed, after losing his mama, a lonely Smokey has found a couple of sure companions.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
une plume = feather
partout = everywhere
ouf! = phew!
le potager = kitchen garden
le poulailler = hen house
c'était = was it
la tourterelle = turtle dove
quelle horreur! = how awful!
To Glean (Glâner) — Don't miss this post from the archives, the story about Agnès Varda's must-see documentary The Gleaners and I.
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Bonjour Kristi!
I just wanted to say hi, I’m a long-time reader of your blog, since 2002 (near the beginning, I think), and I’m also finally studying French! Your blog was actually recommended to me by a French woman I met at my job all those years ago, and I have so enjoyed reading your stories and seeing your lovely photos.
I’ve just spent a month in Cassis at a residency, and we visited La Ciotat last week and had a swim at the beach — maybe we walked past your house without knowing it. 🙂
Anyway, thank you again for sharing your life and stories with all of us. Best of everything to you and your family, especially Jules as she navigates the unpredictable path of settling into a new life here in France!
Kimber
Bon courage Jules and welcome to France with all its highs and lows. See you one day soon i hope..I live 1 county over.
I know Jules will prevail. Remember, she lived in the barrio in a small place that had a tin roof as I remember. It will all work out. As gregarious as she is and the ultimate people person, she like all of us, do need our “me time” now and then. Happy Trails.
Joie
Errr, no – the dog ate the dove. Dogs will do that unfortunately, and once it starts… please be vigilant.
I’m so glad Smokey and the hens have become friends. As for the other feathers … nature sometimes takes its course! Bon courage to Jules, you and the rest of the family as this next chapter unfolds and more stories are shared. The sense of humour and love of life you share will make it a fine adventure, with so many people who care cheering you. En avant!
I don’t think he ate the dove…retrievers are very soft mouthed. Mine used to catch birds all the time…unfortunately they would eventually succumb to their injuries, but it was more a sport with them. I wish Jules and you the best in your new bend in life. Look forward to the stories! XOX!
Hi Kristi,
Best of luck to Jules and to the whole family!
I hope Smokey didn’t eat the dove but a pile of feathers and a mouth full of feathers is suspicious! 🙂
My friend’s Labrador ate killed one of her chickens and she read that if you tie the dead chicken around the dog’s neck and let him wear it for a few days it will break the bad habit. Sounds smelly and gross but maybe that is the point!
Hi Kristi. I had a Golden fully trained hunting dog. Never hurt any bird but flushed and fetched then. One time a neighbour had 50 newly arrived chicks escape from the house he had poorly prepared. My dog was called in the help recover. He retrieved 47 of the babies in his big soft mouth in about 1 hour. Bravo for Goldens!
So good to hear from you, Kimber! Thank you for reading all these years!
James, Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!
It should really be “Quelle horreur!”
Bon courage, Jules!
Whoops! Thanks, Petra!
Your “ouf!” made me think of an expression I’ve heard: “les chicoufs “ It usually applies to grandchildren or other guests that come to stay with you and, then, after a while, leave. “Chic!” They’ve come for a visit! Later, after they leave, it’s “Ouf!” They’ve gone! Thus, “les chicoufs.”
We had two goldens (still have one) and one cheeky Cockatiel named Isa. Isa could land on their heads or waddle up to them and peck at them (I said he was cheeky), and they were each, like, “Oh well, here’s that bird again, sigh…”
Somehow I don’t think Smokey ate the dove. You would have seen more evidence than feathers, I would think. However, that little guy might be off to find another place to live!
P.S. I don’t know if you like corrections? If you do, I have two tiny ones:
No apostrophe in “Quelle horreur” and the past tense of the verb “sink” is “sank.”
Once a proofreader…🌝
Love this expression. Thank you, Jean, and for the corrections, too. Always helpful and appreciated ☀️
Each morning I watch in amusement as my boxer dog, Bindi Sue, attempts her descent from the deck to the fenced back yard where our chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, peacocks, and one lone turkey dwell. My arrival on the deck with her is a signal of possible food being served, so the birds flock to the stairs (pardon the pun). Although she could easily subdue any poultry attack, poor Bindi cowers and needs a bit of a shove to make her way out to do her duty.
A few years ago Bindi did corner a small chick in the hen house, and her animal instincts took over. She was soundly chastised and has never again even sniffed a feathered critter.
What a nice way to start my day with a window into yours. ☀️
A prize for Smokey…laying off the hens, haha. Just don’t egg him on….
Our dear Kristi,
As always,you start my morning with smiles and inspiration to make the best out of any situation!
Needed it badly as one of the pipes burst and flooded us,our bedroom,bathroom,and hallway.Sloshing through the mess,I asked myself what would Kristi do? And the answer,of course,was keep going,keep laughing,and have patience!Thank you!!
Hugs and blessings always to you,dear Jules,sweet Smokey and the chickens!
Love
Natalia . Xo(extra ones!)
Kristi,
Smokey is a “good” Golden. I’d like to think the best. My parents Husky used to get loose and raid the hen house a few streets over and then come home sheeplishly a few hours later. But they are have stronger instincts for hunting than Goldens if I’m not mistaken.
Jules will make the best of it and then when things are upgraded she will marvel at the luxury accommodations. Glad that things are going so well.
Kathleen
If Smokey ate the bird, he will do it again. Not sure what you feed your dog but if he gets his proper nutrition he will be less likely to kill a bird. Most animals kill only when they are hungry (man is the exception) so if Smokey is well fed, he won’t kill. The other possibility is he is bored so put on that leash and walk him.
Bon courage, Jules! Bon courage, also, to you Kristi, as you continue to navigate the animal / bird situation! 😊
Love your view, acceptance on so many things; it is inspiring. Change is difficult for me these days, as it is for everyone I suspect, but you see the positive so much more than I can and so you reassure. I wish your Mom well – such a big move must be so challenging, plus the language? And your respect and love for her is inspiring. As is your respect for everyone else currently in the house!! Animals are always puzzling to me but I take the good with the bad because their love is so unconditional. I have two rescue pups and a rescue cat; they take much time (two are on meds and need to be walked on a leash. But they give much back to me that so many humans seem to fail at.So I sympathize about Smokey. Love your blog. Just started reading not that long ago and look forward to each.
Just had a chance to read your lovely blog. I feel so fortunate to have met you all those years ago, in Ste. Ceciele (sp). This was 2002. You and Jean graciously accommodated my mom and sisters, and made us feel so welcome that afternoon. It was harvesting time which made our visit even more special, and I’m sure challenging for you. I love the humour, love and openness you bring to all of us. Blessings to your mom and the family. It was a blast meeting you and this group of Canadian gals will never forget it. Mom just turned 92 this year, and honestly she’s amazing. Thanks for your posts! Xo
Hi Kristi, I loved your story. Smokey is just wonderful, the way he puts up with all of the changes, the moves and everything…..sOoo glad that you love him so much!! God bless, C-Marie
Fabulous story!
Hi Kristi,
We had chickens and ducks when the kids were at home and always had a dog too. Both species were “free range” and never any problems. However, when we had newly hatched chicks and ducklings, and the cat, that created problems!
Enjoy the rest of your summer! Hi to Jules. I feel like I know her at least from here in western Canada.
Thanks, Cathy! I remember your visit, fondly. Please say Bonjour to your mom 💕
Never a dull moment chez vous!
Bonne chance avec Smokey and les poulets. Jules is a real trooper so my money is on her to survive and bless you all for La famille amour.
Smokey looks so adorable. It is very sad that people leave their trash wherever they want. Hope all is well!!