Arsenic in my omelette? Animal instincts + French vocabulary you won’t find in a textbook (like the slang word for concierge…)

A scene from Cousine Sabine's, where we enjoyed Sunday's "cousinade" or family reunion. The horse is an Irish cob. Today's Word: un abreuvoir : watering hole, drinking bowl, trough, birdbath, fountain Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read in French and in English Study the sentence below, then click on the following sound file to hear the French and EnglishOn peut conduire un cheval à … Continue reading Arsenic in my omelette? Animal instincts + French vocabulary you won’t find in a textbook (like the slang word for concierge…)

What does “Féerique” mean in French? + compare translations of our bilingual book synopsis

Photo of me and Jean-Marc in 1991. Today, enjoy an extended sound file in French as Jean-Marc summarizes our story. Now that our vineyard memoir is written, we have arrived at a critical step: finding an agent and then a publisher for the hardcopy edition. Your help is vital! Please study the following synopsis in English and in French, and help answer the questions that … Continue reading What does “Féerique” mean in French? + compare translations of our bilingual book synopsis

Wish us luck (Souhaitez-nous bonne chance)! + Putting the cart before the horse (la charrue avant les boeufs)…

“Do not send a letter… we don’t live there any more.” This beautiful calligraphy by Joy Fairclough, captures the beauty and romance of what many imagine to be life on a French vineyard. Jean-Marc and I share the true blood, sweat, and tears reality in our memoir, The Lost Gardens which we have just finished writing. Fêtons çela! Today's word: un ouvrage     : … Continue reading Wish us luck (Souhaitez-nous bonne chance)! + Putting the cart before the horse (la charrue avant les boeufs)…

Demain il fera jour: A reminder not to take work (life, everything) too seriously + Escapade to Porquerolles Island

If today's word is too easy for you, détrompez-vous. Think again. This letter has a lot more to offer when you read to the end. Today's Word: la plage1. beach2. track of music3. time span, range Listen to Jean-Marc read the following in French and English Porquerolles, ses plages de sable fin, ses eaux turquoise et transparentes. C’est un véritable paradis à quelques minutes de … Continue reading Demain il fera jour: A reminder not to take work (life, everything) too seriously + Escapade to Porquerolles Island

France’s “Cité de L’Espace” and SpaceX “dearMoon” + Jules is ready to fly the coop.

Our little wooden boat, an authentic French “pointu” left the old port Monday for a special mission…to accompany my Mom beyond the limits of La Ciotat. Find out what this floating craft has in common with spacecraft in today's intergalactic missive. Today’s word: une fusée      : rocket, space rocket  Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc read the following French and English:Un milliardaire japonais offre huit … Continue reading France’s “Cité de L’Espace” and SpaceX “dearMoon” + Jules is ready to fly the coop.