A New Year's sale from Amazon! The spirit of van Gogh lives on the pages of this touching story set in Arles and the intriguing Camargue." Follow Patricia at www.patriciasandsauthor.com or on Instagram
Today's Word: voir
: to see, watch, look at
voir la vie en rose = to look on the bright side
Audio: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following:
La marque constante de la sagesse est de voir le miraculeux dans le banal. The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
On another of those eye-opening walks (whether for the sunset or the beauty in an encounter) Mom and I were once again enchanted by strangers.
We were halfway along our favorite sentier, when two figures appeared on the horizon. As the couple came into focus, I saw her headscarf and glimpsed his long beard. Malgré moi, my mind interpreted the incoming data:
headscarf + long beard = formal religion observed
Acting out of what I believed was respect, I smiled at the woman but carefully avoided eye contact with the man. Don't ask how I came up with such a protocol, except it was loosely based on a conversation with a North African friend who wore the same modest headscarf: "Men and women," she explained, "unless married, are not to be alone in the same car."
Surely there were exceptions to la règle. I don't doubt she could drive with her father or her son or her nephew or cousin. There was so much to learn about my friend's culture and I enjoyed those days, sipping coffee with her in my kitchen, sharing our faiths.
Meantime, back to the future, Mom and I weren't in a car, but I didn't want to take any chances and end up crossing some sort of invisible boundary when the couple, now a few feet ahead of us, passed. As Mom was unusually quiet tonight, chances were low she would strike up a conversation with the les inconnus–even if it is her joy to do so. We were just about to pass the couple, honorably so, when the unexpected happened….
The man suddenly lunged at us! Flailing an invisible sword through the air, he shouted something unintelligible.
I think Mom caught on before I did, recognizing the man's mock sparring. Turns out he was only pointing out–in a most illustrative way–my own headdress: a wide-brimmed black felt hat.
Confused, I looked at my mom who smiled back playfully at the man with the beard. Mimicking his comic gesture: she swept her own invisible sword back and forth, fashioning a "Z" in the air.
"Zorro!" She said, repeating the man's unintelligible word (or one that hadn't made sense moments ago).
Reaching for my hat, I remembered what it looked like and sure enough–along with my black jeans and black coat, it all brought to mind that sword-swinging character.
"Oui, oui, Zorro!" I laughed, looking the bearded-man directly in the eyes, breaking whatever assumptions and oddly-concocted conclusions I had drawn, letting him know his humor was spot on. Touché!
* * *
I leave you with a picture of my funloving Mom as she is wearing a similar hat to the one I had on that day. Enjoy, and remember: ne jugez pas un livre par sa couverture or you might miss a wonderful story!
My Mom, on one of our evening walks. I have a similar hat to Mom's, only the hatband is different…see mine below.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le sentier = path
malgré moi (malgré soi) = involuntarily
la règle = rule
les inconnus = the strangers
touché! = you win!
ne jugez pas un livre par sa couverture = don't judge a book by its cover
qui sait = who knows
For more French phrases, try The Penguin French Phrase Book.
Zorro? I wear wide-brimmed hats in the winter to help keep the bright sun off my face. Mom wears hers because it keeps her warm and she likes the style. Check out these felt hats and protect your skin, as I have to. And qui sait…wearing one might lead to a mind-opening encounter.
* * *
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Cute story! Wish it would go viral.
Thank you, Catherine!
Hilarious! We do presume and for the greater part, we shouldn’t. Now, I will smilingly think of you as Zorro!
Delightful story! Thanks for your wisdom and humor! And thanks, also, for “introducing” me to Patricia Sands books! I love them!
Hi Kristi,
Cute story….I noticed the coiffeur shop in the photo. Does Frederic do your hair? 🙂
I may be totally missing it, but I’m not finding the $.99 Amazon offer on the book you’re advertising, Drawing Lessons. When I went on the Amazon site, it is being offered for free to (1) Kindle members and (2) those trying out a Audible membership, but the only other option was the print version for $10.99. What am I doing wrong (or can you post the direct link that offers this book for 99 cents?). Thanks in advance, Maria
Bonjour Maria ~ I’m not sure why there is a problem for some people, but the ebook is on sale for the month of January. Try this link and bonne chance! https://amzn.to/3701f9F
Amitiés, Patricia
I would say “cutest” except that the word is not in The Oxford Dictionary!
Try this. Look right underneath ‘free’ option with Kindle Unlimited. When I go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XPDYLLD/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=frencwordaday-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B06XPDYLLD&linkId=d25a8c844d6366f5cad4120e055e1cac
I see 4 ways to get the book: Kindle, Audiobook, Paperback and MP2 CD. In Kindle option, says “$0.00 Kindle Unlimited.” You obviously don’t have that. But right underneath the Kindle option, it says “Read with Kindle Unlimited to also enjoy access to over 1 million more titles.” and right underneath that it says “0.99 to buy.” If you select that link, takes you right back to the page with the book, but you’ll note on the right side, the price is $0.99 is shown. Select the Buy now with 1-click, log in to your Amazon account to pay. Make sure you want it–it will automatically charge your credit card and you need to dig through Your Account under Digital Orders to cancel it.
Love the hats,just my sort .Well done Mom for diffusing the situation ;”All’s Well that Ends Well” Eh !
Bonjour, Kristin,
Your mother is quick-witted! Such a savvy companion is indeed a blessing!
Thanks Scott ~
– tech gremlins at work?
Our dear Kristi,
You, Jules(and,of course Patricia–how in the world can your wonderful book be only 99 cents??? !)
once again filled our days with smiles–and inspiration!!
Bravo for being so quick witted and catching it was Zorro!(make the sign of the Z!)
Chicken hearted me would’ve no doubt turned and run in the opposite direction!!
Absolutely love the hats you and Jules wear!You both look so elegant,and best of all protected from the sun!!
Thank you for for the tip where to get one!!
Love
Natalia Xo
Kristi, both you and your mom look so chic in hats. I love all the photos you post. Your blog wouldn’t be the same without them.
Does anyone remember the scene from “Amelie” where she plays some tricks on Collignon, the grocer, because he is so mean to Lucien, his employee? When she leaves his apartment, Amelie is shown in a Zorro costume, and she marks Collignon’s door with a swashbuckling “Z” ? What a fun and imaginative film where an introvert changes her own life and the lives of others by daring to step out of her comfort zone…
Joan, I love your summary of this film. I need to see it.
Thank you, Diane. Thats a wonderful encouragement. 💕
Thank you, chère Natalia 💕
Eileen, No, but maybe I will check him out 🙂
Thanks, Liz!
Kristi, I hope it’s not rude of me to say, but I can’t believe you haven’t seen Amelie. I thought all French-living women were obsessed with it. The restaurant/cafe where it was filmed was one of the first places my Paris friend took me. See it to say you’ve seen it. However, pour moi it’s in the comme ci comme ça category.
Now to the hat. I just gave my daughter the same for Christmas. Alas, I don’t think her generation would even have a clue if I did the Zorro dance in front of her. But as for not looking the man in the eye, I would say on a public street you can be who you are and look wherever you please without being disrespectful. A polite bonjour to the couple would not be untoward. I would assume it would be his duty on a public street to not look directly into your eyes.
Julie, Love your wisdom as well as this practical suggestion. You are right, on a public street, here in France, do as the French: a bonjour Monsieur/Dame, as they say, would have been just right.
Also loved your would-be Zorro dance 🙂
Re Amelie, to be clear, I began watching it but did not finish. I may give it another go, as I do like the subject!
I appreciate your care in the sun. You look absolutely beautiful now! Cannot see a trace of your surgery.
I read your link to,you surgery.
I myself have had 3 Mohs surgeries and 3 Rounds of a chemotherapy drug called Flouracil 5 or efudex.
I am happy you use this forum not only to entertain but also to enlighten and inform. It takes courage to post pictures of a surgery on your face. I’ve been there. I bear the scars. It’s incredibly tough.
Thank you for sharing.
Please all… be safe in the sun
Your hat looks more like mental image of Zorro. I’d love to wear that style of hat during the winter to keep the sun out of my light-sensitive eyes, but my main problem is cold ears! Even in the summer if they get cold, it causes major head pain. Alas! Remember to be En Garde!
Fondly,
Carolyn
Carolyn, love your En garde! Re the hat, our ears do get cold! My mom wears a wool cap underneath. It keeps her ears warm and looks stylish.
Sea urchin alert!!! CBS did a story on how they are eating up the kelp forests and a smart business man is turning them into JM favorite snack en mass. Just saw the piece this morning.
“Viral” is not quite the right word, but I get what you’re trying to say. Christy deserves far more recognition.
Dear Natalia ~How sweet of you to be concerned. The $.99 price in no way reflects the value of our work, but rather offers an opportunity for more new readers to pick up the book. It’s part of Amazon’s marketing strategy and really is a good one. However, it’s always an adjustment as an author the first time accepting this. The more readers we reach, the more all of our work becomes known. Thanks for caring … your thoughts made my day.
I love those hats too!
Amicalement