Le Prénom + French Dog and Cat Names for your pet

In winter dogs are allowed on this sandy beach. Out strolling with Mom at sunset last night, we enjoyed seeing 5 cavorting canines–including Ruby the pit bull. She wanted to hop on that surfboard and glide up the coast with the help of a couple of giggling girls pulling the rope. Meet another local pooch in today’s story… TODAY’S WORD: “le prénom”     : first name … Continue reading Le Prénom + French Dog and Cat Names for your pet

Glou-glou! How to get out of cooking for Thanksgiving (hint: be a turkey)

Turkeys or dindes at Château Miraval, in 2005. "Glou-glou! Gobble-gobble!" turkeys say, in French and in English. More turkey talk, and some mischief, in today’s story. TODAY'S WORD: glouglou or glou-glou     : gobble-gobble    : glug-glug* (the sound of wine pouring out of a bottle) FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in this post. Then scroll down … Continue reading Glou-glou! How to get out of cooking for Thanksgiving (hint: be a turkey)

The Vas-y Effect. You know this secret to happiness and success…

A random photo from Paris. You can never see enough hearts! Keep looking for them, and enjoy the following pick-me-up message. TODAY'S WORD:  "Vas-y!"     : go for it! FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce all 12 French terms in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here to listen to the French … Continue reading The Vas-y Effect. You know this secret to happiness and success…

Hommage: Adieu Mr. Farjon “The Plant Whisperer”

Robert Farjon leaving Domaine Rouge-Bleu, where my family once lived. The hollyhocks seem to be hugging his vintage Peugeot bicycle. Find out why plants love this dearly departed Frenchman in the following tribute.  TODAY'S WORD: amour-en-cage     : love in a cage Amour-en-cage is a synonym for Chinese lantern, or physalis. I loved the term the moment Robert Farjon shared it, and today it … Continue reading Hommage: Adieu Mr. Farjon “The Plant Whisperer”

Désinvolte: Mom’s new pet (and a message from Smokey?)

The sign on this quirky façade in Alsace reads Le Chat qui Pêche (“The Cat that Fishes”). Read on for a story about another smart cat…and don’t miss the photo at the end of this post. TODAY’S WORD: “désinvolte” : casual, nonchalant, detached, glib A FEW BLOOPERS…Today’s sound file, recorded by Jean-Marc, has a funny mistake. The good news is you will hear both the … Continue reading Désinvolte: Mom’s new pet (and a message from Smokey?)