The little stone cabanon at our vineyard. Do you remember the heart door?
Today's Word: la cour de récréation
: playground, schoolyard
Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in the following story. Then scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your French comprehension.
A (Birth)DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Recently the word "recreation" jumped right off the page of the book I was reading. For the first time, the meaning revealed itself right there in the spelling: RE-CREATION.
Waouh! Quel mot!
From the Latin "recreare," récréation literally means to create again, to renew–though most of us understand recreation as "an activity done for enjoyment when one is not working."
Speaking of not working that's my plan for my birthday! And while Miss Manners says it's uncouth to announce one's anniversaire on social media–it is A-OK to shout it out on the playground (etiquette dictates if you're under the age of 12, you can run around telling everybody it's your birthday)!
According to my passport I'm way past the age of 12, but today we're pretending we're on the playground–at a long table decorated with balloons and gifts. And it would give me so much pleasure, Dear Reader, to open those imaginary cadeaux–and discover a certain memory you have from this blog. Will you share your souvenirs? Is there a word or story that comes to mind? A recipe, un truc or une astuce you'll never forget learning here? Or maybe you have a special connection to this newsletter (you had to read it in high school, and now this many years later you are still reading?). It would tickle me to know.
Thank you very much for playing along and, on that note, may this cours where we meet weekly remain a creative playground—an alternative classroom where we may nod in respect to Miss Manners while running wild and free!
Amicalement,
Kristi
P.S.: I could write a book about how much I have learned from you, beginning with grammar (when I began this blog I didn't know the difference between it's and its). Thank you for all you have taught me. I think about you, your words, your advice, your personal experiences, and sometimes I even dream about you when I am sleeping!
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le cabanon = little stone hut or shed in Provence
la cour de récré = playground, schoolyard
waouh! (or ouah!) = wow!
quel mot = what a word
un anniversaire = birthday
autrement dit = in other words, put another way
le cours = lesson, class
la cour = courtyard, schoolyard
le cadeau = present, gift
le souvenir = memory, recollection
amicalement = yours, kind regards, best
Words not included in the sound file
un truc = a thing, a trick (hack)
une astuce = a tip, a hack
Related Story
Speaking of a word's meaning suddenly revealing itself, don't miss the story "Mangeoire"–just in time for Christmas.
My birthday 15 years ago, surrounded by my nephew, niece, and kids. Thanks, Heidi, for the cupcakes!
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
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I love that a photo you posted prompted me to paint it in acrylic. And that I had the chance to send it to you when I was in Paris.
I hope you are still enjoying it.
Bonne fête, ma belle Kristi. Amicalement, Bill Crow de Vancouver Nord
Bon anniversaire, Kristi! What fun to have another reason to celebrate during this festive season! Decades ago when I began learning French I fell madly in love with France. I have been reading your blog since the beginning, and it serves as my intimate connection to France and all things French. Your taking all of us into the arms of your family has given me the opportunity to learn new vocabulary, customs and traditions as we watch your children grow and your relationship with Jean-Marc bloom. Now that Jules is living with you, I feel even closer for I, too, live with my son and his family. Perhaps you could do a little interview – or a series of them – with Jules to connect us with her perspectives.
With a grateful heart, I wish you all Joyeux Noël!
Gabrielle
Kristi, happy birthday to you! I have been reading your blog for soooooo long! I especially remember meeting Jean-Marc and his wines after introducing him to Tim and Phyllis. Seems like ages ago. And my favorite memory was finally meeting you, and J-M, for lunch on the beach ! We hope to do it again someday. In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy new year!
Bonne fête Kristin
Hope you and your family have a happy and healthy Christmas and coming new year.
PS I enjoy your posts. Especially how you are so honest and don’t sugarcoat life. Also some of my French that I haven’t spoken since 1956 is rekindling because of your blog.
Cabanon, au commencement. Later – many, many souvenirs, grace a vous (sorry – no accent marks available). Happy Birthday – and keep writing!
Dear Kristin,
The happiest of birthdays to you. I wish all things wonderful to shower down on you in this new year.
My birthday was Sunday, your dear mother Jules, and I are of the same vintage. I have followed you since she told me about your “new adventure” over coffee in P.V. years ago.
Joyeux Noel.
Bon anniversaire! As a (now former) French teacher, I have found your blog to be a frequent reminder that French culture is not just something that my students learned from a textbook. I used a number of your posts in discussions, and as lessons. My favorite one was Jackie’s lament about not being able to wear make-up, which I used as a springboard for teaching reflexive verbs.
I have also appreciated your courage in addressing your sobriety. I also love les poissons d’avril.
Merci pour tout.
Bonne Anniversaire, Kristin! Thanks for sharing your family, your home, your dreams, your heart, your soul, everything with us. What a gift you have given us! May you receive many wonderful ones.
XOX Bisous
Augusta Elmwood
New Orleans
Joyous Birthday, dear Kristi! There are bits and threads from your many stories woven into my memory as if I experienced the event right alongside you. What is most precious about this to me, is in this tapestry of you writing candidly about your daily life, I am made to feel as if there is not miles or years between us.
May your birthday fill you up with joy, love and peace!
How about Le/un Terrain de Jeux?
I went to France in 2007 and I wanted ‘everything French’ when I returned to the States. I found your wonderful blog and never looked back! The two entries that grabbed my heart the most are the attack on Smokey and the cancer on your forehead.
I’ve loved everything else too. I fondly remember meeting Jean-Marc in Houston. I was as excited as if he were a movie star!
Bon anniversaire, Kristi! I admire your courage in starting a family in a culture where you do not speak the native language. My favorite stories are about the adventures you have on vacation. Merci pour les histoires de voyage!
Bon anniversaire en retard Kristi! I don’t remember when I started reading your blog, but it was years ago, when I still lived in the US and I fell in love with it for its amazing honesty and your beautiful writing style. It is the only one that has stuck with me all these years. When I moved to Cassis, it felt as if almost knew someone nearby, even though somehow, time seems to fly by and I haven’t kept in touch as I would like to, I know you are there! Thank you for the pleasure of reading you and Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Bonne anniversaire, ma chère Kristi. My favorite memory of this blog is your April Fool’s Day story of being sent on the train to Paris with a toothbrush to clean in the catacombs. Ooo la la – you had me going until almost the end. But since Jed and I had our vineyard adventure (we ripped out the vines this summer) about the same time that you and Jean-Marc had yours, your stories from that time connected with us. I have two of your books and they are also a wonderful companion en lieu de France. Merci beaucoup.
Hi-I keep a journal of phrases and poems that strike me, and here are quotes from two different entries you made, both maybe maybe 6-8 years ago, that I have often thought about…..
“Little did the berger know-and little do we all know-that out there, somewhere, someone is trying to comfort us without us even knowing.”
and this one-
(after describing cats scrambling for food under a restaurant table)…..”Love is sometimes the same way, appearing in scraps. And suddenly, strutting along through life, tough as nails, we are dumbstruck by our hunger.”
When I read through this journal, I come across these quotes, and they always make me smile. So you see, it is interesting what can stick in your mind…..
I have no specific example. JUst the fact that my heart takes a big leap and my whole body relaxes in anticipation. Your words are a repose from the stress of every day life. And for a few delicious moments I immerse myself in your French life. Happy birthday.
You are always in my thoughts and my KITECHEN with that incredible tomato tarte……
Thank you for all of your shared times with your family, your inpiring writing, and I hope there will be many more to come. Joyeux Noë and bonne anniveraire whenever that is.
Bonjour Kristi. I have been reading your articles for at least fifteen years. I read them during my lunch period at work, and strived to learn a new french word or two each time. I also have made your tomato tart with moutarde! Oh la la…it stirred up a controversy with my friends. They are all so precise on what should go on a pizza, but never moutarde. But, 98.7% of them loved the moutarde on the pizza under the tomates. I am forever grateful to you for being you in your articles.
I think I’ve been reading your blog from the very beginning and have loved watching your kids grow up, meeting your marvelous mom, falling in love with Smokey and meeting Jean-Marc in person at a Southern California wine shop.
After reading your blogs for years (decades?), I went to a sweet little italian restaurant in my town (Eugene, Oregon) solely because they had wine from Rouge-Bleu. It was a wonderful restaurant, since closed, but we went there many times and I always thought of you and Jean-Marc.
Are your posts available in French? If so, how did I miss this and how do I read them in French? I would love that… albeit so much easier in English 🙂
Hi Jeanine,
There are a dozen bilingual posts in this blog’s archives, but the rest are in English.
I’m very late to this party, however I will still take this moment to wish you a belated happy birthday. As well, to tell you that I have been reading your blog for many years. I can’t recall how I found you, however I do recall that taking the few short minutes to read it, was my few stollen moments of « me time » when my children were young (they are now into their mid 20´s). You blog has made me laugh and tear up, but mostly connect to authentic family and community life and relationship stories, that resonate with me for one reason or another. Thank you! Wishing you many more happy birthdays.
Le 22 décembre c’est aussi mon anniversaire so I send you special wishes for a shared birthday, sometimes lost in the Christmas holiday preparations.
I live in Idaho (Boise) and have noted your past references to Sun Valley, which I also visit regularly. I am a very non-confident French-language student and have dabbled since high school and college but have never had the opportunity to be in an immersed setting where I can gain skill and confidence. Reading your very friendly posts (and books) have been my way of continually connecting with the language and the culture. Thank you for sharing your personal stories and journeys so I can get my “cadeaux” from you regularly. Merci!
Kristi,
I remember the day we barged into your not-yet-finished home in the north of Provence. It was cold and windy, some weeks after harvest, and you didn’t have heat or much of anything. But still, you were the kind host and took time to brew some tea or coffee and place a plate of biscuits on the table. Thank you so much for that precious memory. Jann has been a subscriber for some time and is constantly telling me all she has learned from you. We both purchased The Lost Gardens and appreciate so much how you both shared your life story with us. Happy birthday and many more to come. Sending kind wishes from distant Healdsburg.
Gerry and Jann, Jean-Marc and I are touched by your message and those memories. Thank you for sharing them. 💕💕
I remember being so moved by the story of your daughter and her eventually awful experience in Florida. To have been far away from her at that time must’ve been so difficult for you. I empathized! My then-20 year old in the late 90s had a negative situation arise while completing study abroad in Guatemala. I’m sure that “fellow-feeling” is why this one sticks in my mind. You’re adept a writing about universal values, an in another language, too. We are only as happy as our children, yes? Bon anniversaire!