Jean-Marc (here, with grape stains…) and Kristi will be in Denver soon, for a wine tasting of Provence and Chateauneuf du Pape wines that Chief Grape exports to Colorado. This event will take place September 13th from 3 to 6 PM at The Vineyard Wine Shop, 261 Fillmore Street, Denver, CO 80206. Tel : 303 355 8324 We look forward to seeing you there!
Just for today, we are going to reverse the format and begin with the vocabulary list from the story:
ça y est = that's it
c'est presque la rentrée = it's almost back to school
l'ardoise (f) = slate, blackboard
le pistou = vegetable soup with basil
la courgette = zucchini
le basilic = basil
sans le savoir = unwittingly, unknowingly
le gilet = cardigan
une tuerie = something "die for" delicious
la fleuriste = florist, flower shop
le ressentiment = resentment
j'ai la fringale = I'm so hungry! I'm starving!
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
A light Mistral is sweeping through our neighborhood, taking with it the last of the tourists. Ça y est, c'est presque la rentrée!
It felt good to walk along the breezy streets, letting my hand glide along the stuccoed fences, their scratchy surfaces awakening me to the moment. Farther on, a black ardoise read: "Le Pistou de Grandmère." Yes, it is that time of year for Provençale bean soup–with courgettes, basilic, and haricots…I made a mental note to tell Mom about the day's special, in case she might feel up to going out….
At the post office, I recognized a certain clerk I'm fond of. Tanned, her hair in a no-fuss ponytail, she has wrinkles so deep you can see their tan lines (light in the creases). After I stepped up to the counter, the clerk began weighing my letter and there began an amusing dialogue between herself and the computer:
"Mais prends ton temps," By all means, take your time! she said, patting the screen. Ah, je vois…tu bug! Oh, I see, you have a bug! Mais, vas-y. Well, go ahead (and bug then)!
As the postal clerk cajoled the machine, I enjoyed her vas-y "live and let live" attitude: Let others do as they will–including technology! It is all out of our control. The best we can do is stay out of the way. I thanked the clerk who'd, sans le savoir, brightened my day, and I headed to the farmers market.
There was Naty behind the produce scale. Her dark blond hair, in a bun all summer, now fell to her shoulders. She was wearing a woolen gilet–proof the heatwave was over!
"Ça, c'est une tuerie!" This is to die for! Naty said, savoring a giant green fig. I filled a small paper bag with the fruit, thinking it would please my Mom (a loaf of bread…and a bouquet from la fleuriste…would eventually be added to this "Peace" gift, which was building and building, like a series of hurt feelings…).
"Naty," I said, "Remind me of that word you used last week, the expression for 'I'm hungry'".
"J'ai la fringale!" Naty replied, "and it means "I am REALLY REALLY hungry. I'm starving!"
I leave you with this colorful expression, Dear Reader, and a few other things to chew on from today's missive, namely the encouragement to get out and experience the day (and then your cares will naturally slip away).
* * *
Update: Mom accepted my peace offering…and gave me some presents in return: a bowl of her homemade bouillon and a moment in her garden (next to the garage) on her favorite chair with its zebra-striped pillows (the ones she'd packed into one of four suitcases when she moved here from Mexico). "Breathe deeply," Mom said, offering me the gift of peace. "And look up at the sky. Always look up at the sky!"
Both of us seemed relieved to be out of the sulks, or what grandmother Germaine might have called le boudoir (I leave you with the story of an inspiring Frenchwoman).
(Thanks to my friend, Berina, for the folloing photo of Mom and me.)
The painted sign reads: "To live well, love well, and let the others say what they will!" Pour bien vivre, bien aimer, et laisser dire. (Picture taken during a family vacation in the Aosta Valley, Italy.)
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A lovely post Kristi. To abundant harmony. Bon weekend. Enjoy Denver!
I wish we could fly to Denver to see you that day! Gary and Lou will be in France, as well. Are you making even a brief stop in Boston either direction.
I will see you at the wine tasting! I hope to bring Sarah, too. It will be great to see you and to finally meet JM. He was out of town when we visited in 2016. How much both our lives have changed since then! A bientot!
..Bon voyage a Denver! J. Dunn
I wish I could see y’all in Denver. But, since I can’t, I’ve forwarded your email to friends living there😘💜
Thank you, Lorinda!
… Wishing you and Chief Grape a safe journey and a fabulous, relaxing time!
And you brightened my day😃. What a lovely walk with you. Like the new words before the story. Bon voyage
I love that you and your mother give each other gifts! I do that with family and special friends. Sometimes it is food, a book, a treat for a friend’s cat or dog, or a greeting card which made me think of that person. Likewise, I love it when my family and friends remember me in some small way.
Our dear Kristi,
In God Calling, Jesus tells us that fresh air and sunshine are His greatest physicians!For whatever the ailment!
And that is just exactly what you do!
What a wonderful picture of you and dear Jules!
Your loving gifts to each other just wrap us in hugs.
Bon voyage to Denver!
Love
Natalia. Xo
Ah, the great getting comfortable with each other again. I have been there done that with my mom and have the tee shirt. For about 14 years at the end of her life she lived with Kent and I.We had to make mental room in my home for us both. Yes mental, I was the mom now, my house my rules.The only thing was I had learned those rules from her.Dont worry things settle down after a while and you both adjust to the new rules you will make together.Love your time together, let the storms pass over, enjoy the sweetness of life. Just sayin…
J’ai la fringale. How is fringale pronounced? Frin-jal? Frin-gal-e?
I’m getting confused between my feeble Italian and really bad French.
Thanks, Roseann
I enjoy all your posts with their tales of every day relationships and events. I have also enjoyed some of Jean-Marc’s delicious rosé (gone but not forgotten) and wonder what wines he is now exporting that I might enjoy. Perhaps they too can be found outside of Denver? I’m in Alexandria, VA and had found Mas Brun in a local wine shop in Del Ray. Best wishes in the Denver trip. Susan
Love, kindness and understanding usually win… ♥️
Kristin, I so love your stories! Please keep the “vocabulary” at the beginning of them. Then I know what new expressions to look for. Your two published books are wonderful, and I’ve re-read them a few times already. I am re-learning my college French, from waaaay back, and this is such a fun way to supplement that. À bientôt!
I wish the mistral would sweep through here and take the tourists away. This week is mayhem and then two more….and school started for some two weeks ago.
There used to be a restaurant in San Francisco called Fringale. I never knew what it meant. It just sounded (to me) like a pretty French word.
Vous ressemblez exactement à votre mère!!
Oh Kristi, I can’t thank you enough for sharing this story today. I have been feeling overwhelmed, my mind running away with my myriad thoughts that drag me deeper into a place where I don’t want to go. I value your and Jules’s advice, to simply get dressed, put on a pair of comfy shoes, and head out the door to take deep breaths, to fully enjoy the gifts of this new day. Why is it that this time-tested and trusted remedy is often so easily forgotten? I’m taking that advice today. Merci.
Husband Ed and I plan to attend your 13 Sept wine visit to Denver, if I’m able to exchange our theatre tix for OKLAHOMA quite early that same evening. Am forwarding your visit to many pals in the area; wishing for a packed wine house welcome to you both.
Have enjoyed your blog for several years, pronouncing the French outloud while reading, and delighted that Ed’s not able to correct me !
A bien tot,
pat freeburg
Thinking of you, Katia. Sending hugs and bon courage. 🌞
Thank you, Pat. I hope it is worth the OKLAHOMA switcheroo. 😂
Looking forward to seeing everyone 💕
Greg & I look forward to seeing you in Denver in September! Karin H.
It’s a hard “g”
Could you please plan a trip to Florida? Either Orlando or Tampa. I would love to meet you and JM in person. January/February is a great time to visit the Sunshine state.😊
(Oui, 👍 or Palm Beach Gardens.)
One day soon, I hope 🌞💕
Kristi,
I will be coming up to the wine tasting from the Air Force Academy. I hope you will be bringing one of your books, preferable Blossoming in Provence. I’m a librarian at the Academy, and write an article on culture for our newsletter every month. July’s article was France, and that led me to your book in our collection!!! I’d like my own copy, please (Oh, how I hope you will be bringing a few! I’ve called many of the bookstores around here and up there; none in stock, and no time to order!)
Thank you so much!
Catherine Nary