Last month I didn't have the guts to tell you that I had planned on taking the entire summer off from faithfully updating this French word journal. Instead, I promised, "I'll check in with you in June…" Let that be a lesson that putting off the inevitable only takes the joy out of borrowed time!
This pause kind of feels like borrowed time, but now that I've confessed I'll own it: I will cherish this summer and all that's in it: my 74-year-old Mom, our 84-year-old dog (in human years), our seemingly 100-year-old chicken, my kids (grown now, but coming for a visit soon), and my husband, who somehow fell to the end of this list….
Speaking of years/age/time… I will share with you a favorite phrase I've begun repeating each day. I hope you will too, even if you don't feel it. "These are the best days of our lives!" I love singing this reminder to my Mom, who I am happy to report, is on DAY 11 of regular walking. You could say our late afternoon stroll is one of the blessings this summertime break is giving us.
Another is good food!
"I feel like I am at The Ritz!" Mom says, every time I bring her lunch in bed. I am now taking the time to prepare a meal for Mom each day. I began this vacation by baking chocolate chip cookies, which we ate every day (until day 9 of our "challenge"). Since, we are enjoying (in the place of cookies) seasonal fruit: les cérises, les abricots, les pêches et les figues… As for lunch, we are having a lot of grilled and chilled items that can be saved in Tupperware and arranged colorfully on a plate the next day. I love having on hand grilled eggplant, grilled salmon, as well as potato salad, lentil salad, chickpeas, boiled eggs–and I have found some delicious cooked shrimp at Monoprix… Admittedly, crumbled feta ends up on just about everything! It all tastes delicious on a hot summer day, and the effort is minimal when you plan ahead.
Apart from planning, I am clearing out. I have been sticking to a "7 things a day" goal for ridding our home of stuff or "le superflu." Even on days when motivation is at its lowest, I can still manage to clear 7 pieces of paper out of a pocket or a purse or a sack. Even a small receipt counts and it all adds up, doesn't it? I now realize that even if I cleared 7 things daily for the rest of my life I would never run out of le superflu (and we are not hoarders! This brings up an interesting (if useless) French word for today: la syllogomanie = compulsive accumulation).
Speaking of superflu, that may be the theme of this petit sabbatique: identifying and eliminating the excess in my life in order to focus on and spend more time with the essential. I can assure you that this blog is an essential. And that makes you, dear reader, an essence–an indispensable quality of it. After all, I wouldn't be here writing today if it weren't for you. Merci beaucoup!
Amicalement,
Kristi
P.S.: my husband is back at the top of my list…after he almost got thrown out with the slow-cooker. Ouf!
For some juicy summer reading, click here to read our passionate vineyard story, in our memoir "The Lost Gardens".
I'm also taking a break from social media, WhatsApp texts, email, and the rest… for a good rest. Take care and enjoy your July/August as well. Hugs from here, from Smokey and me. (My Mom, Jules, took this photo.)
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Dear Kristi! You’ve been in my thoughts. I’m delighted to see you looking so peaceful and radiantly happy. This summer break/rest is a grand idea. Thank you for inspiring me to do the same – like when we were little. XOXO
I have adopted the 7 things a day rule. Thanks.
I will have to live a very long time to clean this house out.
What a delight to hear from you. It’s always a treat I savor to spend time reading your adventures and reflections. Hope that your sabbatical summer is being relaxing, refreshing, and rewarding. Looking forward with anticipation to any moments you are willing to share with us at some point.
Thanks, Carolyn
Dear Kristi, lovely to hear from you. 7 things a day, yes. drop social media, yes (but it never lasts long). eat simply, fresh vegies, fruits–yes, but i often fall back into fast, easy carbs.
have a marvellous time with your family. i too am 74…born in 47! switcheroo!
a metta meditation
may you be safe, & free from harm & suffering
may you be healthy in body, mind & spirit
may you be happy and live with ease and well being,
knowing peace in this good rich life which is ours.
toujours,
patty
Enjoy your ‘vacation’, Kristi! You deserve it.
I am to be 84 in November and my brother will be 83 in October. We marvel that we are still here and have determined that ALL our time now is BONUS time, and that we, being blessed with this, will enjoy every minute and be thankful for our blessings. I think that the times you spend with your mom and your children and MOST Of all, Marc, will be forever treasured. I know that the years I spent with my parents as they grew less able, were times that slowed down and we had a chance to talk and remember things, (and learn things that went into our family tree). I wouldn’t give up those times for anything. Then when Bill grew more ill, we also found we enjoyed our times together to reminisce about our wonderful adventures in France, our collections and the stories that went with them, our beloved dogs and how we enjoyed all of them. My brother and I are the last of our line that I have traced in some lines back to 700 and in this country to the early 1600s. All things come to an end, but enjoy every moment of NOW and thank God for giving us the gift of life and love.
Hugs,
Cerelle
Hi Kristi,
Have a great summer! It is nice to take a break and focus on family and just enjoying life! We just returned from a fun trip with my son and family at Disney World in Florida. So great to see the granddaughters and spend time with my son and daughter in law!
Enjoy!
Wonderful, all. And I have the same foods in my kitchen. The only difference is that I’ve taken to puréeing weird leftovers, as in hummus and gazpacho, a full curry dinner liquified with chicken broth (chicken was not 100), strange combos of whatever is in fridge never to be tasted by man or beast again.
We have loved our discoveries during this crisis/virus/pandemic. Also cleaning house, sometimes more than 7 per day!
If only the anti-vacs would wise up.
LOVE your mama, what a pistol! Good photographer, too.
The lentil salad is on the internet-/I simply searched “Deborah Madison lentil salad.” Thanks for the tip!
Bon chance pour votre ete.
I must admit that I do not read every single post. However there was comfort knowing that they were there. Having taken some time away from social media as well, I was unaware of your absence until now. Then a bit of panic set in when I began scrolling back and did not find you. I was worried……but then I found your latest posting here. I am happy to have found you but happier to see that you have decided to take some time off.
As I enter “the September” of my life as well as the September of this year, I too have come to realize the value of time quietly and simply spent on occasion. As for decluttering……if you bring in 4 items into the home then you must remove a minimum of 4 on that same day.
I will be sending my contribution as well to you.