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The Lost Gardens by Jean-Marc and Kristi Espinasse

THE LOST GARDENS
Jean-Marc and I are finally telling the story of why we packed up and left our vineyard and our dream estate. Read our co-authored memoir, The Lost Gardens. 


In August of 2017, my family and I said adieu to our heavenly domain by the Mediterranean sea. Here, beside the famous Bandol appellation, my husband, Jean-Marc, started his vineyard from scratch, and here is where I fell in love with a wild permaculture garden. In the midst of clearing and planting, we settled into the 19-century mas at the edge of an ancient olive grove.

As romantic as it sounds, this is not a memoir about renovating a farmhouse in Provence, and our story is nothing like the Hollywood hit, A Good Year. It is an honest and raw account of what was for us–our marriage our mental health and our faith–One Hell of A Decade.

Between hailstorms and compost thieves, and in the midst of my sobriety and my husband's mad pursuit of wine, we survived the first vineyard (2007-2012) only to have our spirits pelted and our dreams crushed at the second domain (2012-2017). For ten years our lives were dictated by wine, the weather, and unbridled passion. Now, after a sudden move and a loss that nearly broke us, we are picking up the pieces, chapter by chapter, as we share about our struggles and the love misplaced, somewhere among the vines.

=> The online edition (in blog format, with photos) is $29. Upon purchase, a new tab will open with the memoir's website, login, and a password to access the story. Email me if you cannot find this information: kristin.espinasse@gmail.com

ZELLE PAYMENT
You may also pay via Zelle, the preferred way to pay as there are no fees involved. Click on the "Pay and Transfer" tab at the Bank of America (or other US banking) website. Look for "Pay a Person". Click on "Send money with Zelle." In the "to" box, enter this email address: kristin.espinasse@gmail.com  Enter the amount: $29. In the Message section, mention "The Lost Gardens" and include your email address. 


Excerpt from The Lost Gardens:

A creak at the door woke me from my trance. There was my husband of 22 years. The Frenchman who, letter by steamy love letter, wooed me back to his country. The father of my children. The man whose every inspiration I had followed, no matter where it led us. (Except for the time he wanted to move to Healdsburg, California, in search of American grapes. No! I put my foot down then. France was my home now, even if we were about to uproot once again.)

Watching Jean-Marc approach, I set aside the towel I had been folding: the cloth was stiff and bristly from drying on the clothesline (our dryer broke down at our previous vineyard–at which point it seemed like a good time to practice the French art of hanging the laundry: oh, the romantic illusions we create in order to withstand unconventional living).

My husband studied me for a few moments, his hazel eyes soft and tender before he said those unforgettable words: "I will understand if you want to leave me."

***

Kristin and Jean-Marc Espinasse by Cynthia Gillespie-Smith

photo by Cynthia Gillespie-Smith

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The listing below shows the first 18 chapters. (Four more are not listed here.) All twenty-two chapters include a photo at the beginning and end of the section, making this online edition a good opportunity to share so many memorable pictures. There are also two photo albums in the book's sidebar. 

 

Kristi's narrative Jean-Marc's narrative
Chapter 1: In Limbo Chapter 1.5: Turning the Page
Chapter 2: A New Domaine and Doubts Chapter 2.5: A Dream Reignited
Chapter 3: Relationships: The Jar Analogy Chapter 3.5: A Mythical Summit
Chapter 4: Marriage Vows Chapter 4.5: The Stars Were Aligned
Chapter 5: A Sober Decision Chapter 5.5: What if we move to the States?
Chapter 6: Time to Surrender Chapter 6.5: The Roller Coaster Syndrome
Chapter 7: The Courage To Stay The Course     Chapter 7.5: Asking My Vines for a Favor
Chapter 8: A Close Call Chapter 8.5: Finding Level Ground
Chapter 9: Writing Through it All Chapter 9.5: The Story behind the Lunatic Label
Chapter 10: Adieu Doreen Chapter 10.5: Mas des Brun-Too Good to be True?
Chapter 11: Moving? Again? Chapter 11.5: Who Needs Meds in Paradise?
Chapter 12: The Big Move and our Pagaille Chapter 12.5: Paradise has too many Trees
Chapter 13: A Mas and a Marriage Chapter 13.5: Hurluberlu? 
Blog excerpt: Mom Visits Blog excerpt: So Much for Anonymity
Chapter 14: Staying Sober at two Wineries Chapter 14.5: In Memory: A Touching Dedication
Chapter 15: Laisse-Moi Faire! Chapter 15.5: Moving Mountains
Chapter 16: The Garden of Healing Chapter 16.5: First Whispering of a Wineshop
Chapter 17: Double Trouble Chapter 17.5: In the Eye of a Cyclone
   
Chapter 18: Pot in the Potager? Chapter 18.5 (coming up next!)

 

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67 thoughts on “The Lost Gardens by Jean-Marc and Kristi Espinasse”

  1. Hi Kristi and Jean-Marc,
    Ohhhhh….I am hooked already and about to “click” 🙂

  2. Wow! This should be not only an interesting read, but an interesting experiment for you! A chapter at a time is a great idea. Best of luck, I hope it works out great!

  3. Same here! I look forward to following along with your story with full support! What a nice idea to write the story together.

  4. Our dear Kristi and Jean Marc,
    We applaud you for this exciting adventure and stand here with big hugs of congratulations!
    I want to sign up toute de suite,but dear Kristi,I am unclear about pin and log in to get each chapter.Would you please explain it to me again(as in: sign up for dummies!)
    THANK YOU!
    Love
    Natalia. Xo

  5. What a wonderful idea. I hope it’s better than Terry Gilliam’s movie.

  6. Fantastic idea Kristi and Jean-Marc! I just “clicked” and can’t wait to get rolling on what will be a breathtaking ride through the vineyards of Provence! C’est parti!

  7. OOH I feel this so intimately… felt to share the words of J K Rowling – rock bottom was the foundation on which I built my success. I feel this is going to be a brilliant book.Blessings, magic and much love to you both dear Kristi.

  8. What a beautiful creative idea ! Co – authors!
    Indeed looking forward to reading along ! Meilleurs voeux !

  10. Thank you, chère Natalia! And thanks to everyone who is buying the book. Update: I will be sending you the site address and codes asap (I am currently mired by a technical issue… please pray!)

  11. Hello Guys, this is Jean-Marc, Kristi’s husband…
    Kristi is trying to fix the issue with PayPal regarding the codes which should have been sent automatically…
    She is doing her very Best so please be patient… It won’t be long
    She is so sorry
    Thanks for your support

  13. Dear Kristi and Jean-Marc,
    This has brought tears to my eyes! An honest revelation into a difficult period of your lives, your story should be cathartic for the two of you, as well as for your readers who stayed with you and could sense the pain you seemed to be experiencing. The grace with which you managed to get through such difficulty was admirable and inspiring. It is such a privilege for your readers be included as you write this book…
    PS…I can still imagine you with your own wine shop ;o)

  17. Jean-Marc’s words have left me weeping. This is the most romantic thing I’ve ever read. The first part you’ve shared is just so enticing! The whole endeavor is romance (& hard work) personified. I wish you both a good journey as much will be shared. Such a brave, proud, wonderful, loving endeavor you are giving each other. Thank you for sharing and giving US this present! Clicking now!

  18. Courage d’ecrire ensemble vos histoires, vos souvenirs! J’attends avec impatience de vous lire.
    Bonnes nouvelles! Je pars pour Paris dans quelques jours.

  19. Great project, you two. Kristi’s artistry is really flowering now, but I think that Jean-Marc has been storing it up and will find his own voice with which to contribute to the life story that has been almost hers alone til now. Bravo for your adventurous spirits and bon courage in keeping it real.
    Robaire
    Aix-en-Provence

  20. I commend you on this new endeavor! It sounds like you and Jean-Marc plan to tell your story with authenticity and humility. God works such beauty from our apparent “failures”, which are usually nothing more than learning experiences when looked at from His perspective. How we learn and grow from them is what counts, n’est-ce pas? I greatly respect the way you went for the dream and tackled the hard while also appreciating the good. This reminds me of Patricia Atkinson’s own vineyard story in the Dordogne. I hope that writing this memoir together will be blessing to you both. Looking forward to reading it! Bon courage, Kristi!

  22. What an alluring project. Your two voices will be a marvelous tango. I wish you the best time as you proceed. As many have said, you are both courageous and imaginative. Bonne continuation!

  23. I seem to remember that Charles Dickens (and others) wrote serial novels like this! Brava!

  24. What a lovely idea for both of you, but I am a little disappointed because after you last email, I thought you might be leaving Jean-Marc and then I could move over to France, leave my wife and marry you–but no worries, now I can stay with my Lovely wife and read the book with her, and you are JM are an amazing couple–so all good and then I will go to work 🙂 Long time reader Stephen

  25. Dearest Kristi, I come to your and Jean-Marc’s story as I pack and prepare to leave my beloved urban acre, my 12 years home and exhausted dream. I cannot wait to read and commiserate. When I tire of the boxes and throwing away of what were treasures, I walk the land and cry. I look forward to your story and feel less alone. It’s particularly hard as I see my table grapes and dwarf fruit trees have finally begun to grow in earnest.
    Best wishes.

  26. A great idea ! To share this hard time in your lives with each other & all of us will I’m sure act as a balm for both of you I will be clicking too . .Audrey x

  28. Coincidentally we just moved 15 minutes north of Healdsburg, Ca. Anytime you want to visit this gorgeous part of the country we have plenty of room for visitors!!
    Cheers, Rena

  30. I’m reading Ann Mah’s The Lost Vintage now and glad to see it posted on your sidebar. I look forward to reading your story. Vernon (Atlanta)

  33. I purchased and am so looking forward to reading your story! I somehow missed the login information so I’m wondering if you have had any luck getting the information from PayPal. Please update if you can. Thanks!

  34. Looking forward to reading The Lost Garden. Your stories are always fascinating and from the heart.
    Marti

  36. Thank you very much, Patricia. This means a lot to us!
    And to anyone reading this now, heres an update: Jean-Marc and I have completed 3 chapters! We will be updating the booksite next week, with Jean-Marcs chapter. 

  37. Hi Kristi,
    I purchased your chapter book on April 10 with my credit card. I received an email to join PayPal but I do not want to do that. I have not received an email telling me how to access the book. Any suggestions?
    Jennifer Reese
    P.S. I typed my name wrong when I purchased (Kennifer) and don’t see how I can edit that. Maybe I have to have a PayPal account? We already have one for our family. So far I haven’t been able to read any of your book …

  38. Hi Jennifer,
    Thanks for buying our book. I will send you the site address and codes next. Please look for it in your email.
    So far, one chapter is up. The next one will go up in the coming week. Merci encore for your support!

  40. I also purchased your book via PayPal. I have the login and password, but cannot find where or how to sign into the book site. Can you please tell me how to access the book? Look forward to reading your story, Betsy Hasse
    Tennis4evr@aol.com

  41. Like the comment above, I am have trouble accessing your book and I purchased it the day it was announced. I saved the URL but I can’t remember the password and there is no way to reset or retrieve it.

  42. Hi Kristi
    I just signed up (and paid) for your book and when I got to the website for the book to start reading I accidentially logged off. I haven’t a clue where to go to get back on? Help!!
    Jean

  43. Bought your book today and have no idea how to find where to read it! I have the user name and password but how do I start? Help?
    Jean L.

  46. Hi Kristi,
    I just paid through a just-made paypal account. When I clicked both links they asked for user name and password. I have no idea what to do.
    Merci for your help….I’m sure you didn’t need this headache,
    Patricia

  48. Kristi,
    I forgot how to sign into the book which I purchased. I have the sign in and password written down………..but don’t know how to open the book. Duh.
    So Sorry.
    Sheryl in Scottsdale

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