SPONTANEOUS FRENCH
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TODAY’S WORD: cocon familial : family cocoon / home nest
PRONUNCIATION: [koh-kohn fah-mee-ahl]
EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
J’ai quitté le cocon familial pour commencer une nouvelle aventure à Brooklyn.
I’ve left the family cocoon to begin a new adventure in Brooklyn.
A subway journey in NYC by Jacqueline Espinasse
(Please note: the following story was written by my daughter, Jackie. I’ll be back next week.)
I love hearing from you, readers—especially in these critical times, as I have just left le cocon familial. Your sweet comments remind me I’m not alone as I prepare to make new friends in Brooklyn after my recent move.
One comment especially struck me: a reader reminded me that next week is the US Open in New York! And—à ma grande surprise—I found out that Vin had secretly booked us tickets weeks ago, as a welcome gift. So let me take you with us… Off we go to Queens!
And what luck—one of the most famous tennis players, Carlos Alcaraz, was on the program that day! I texted Dad just as soon as I found out. He was so excited for me.
After passing through security, we entered this little artificial town. “It’s a tennis town!” I said, looking around. Shops, bars, restaurants—en veux-tu en voilà!
“We need to get these 2025 US Open hats,” said Vin. And of course, the famous Honeydew cocktails. They’re made with raspberry liqueur, vodka, flavored water, and three little honeydew melon balls shaped like tennis balls. Hats on heads, cocktails in hand—we were now properly ready. Let’s go see some tennis!
Watching the players compete, I paused a moment. Once I left this court, I too would have to compete—against the thousands of people all trying to get home at the same time. I was still jetlagged from France, so Vin called for an Uber. He was optimistic, but I just went with the flow. Ten, twenty minutes later, still no Uber.
They had the power—the power to call Vin and tell us to walk twenty minutes across Queens to meet them. Not an ounce of goodwill! “No way we are walking through Queens at midnight,” I said. Our last option was the subway. It was fine on the way there, but going back was another story…
No express trains, which meant stopping at every station. After 10 p.m., the subway seems to go on lazy duty: fewer tchou-tchous, more yawns. But this didn’t scare Vin. He had a goal, and that was to make this ride fun. Which translated into him being my personal stand-up comedian between subway stops, playing games on our phones, and finally, after an hour and a half, announcing: “Let’s race home!”
At a certain level of tiredness, something flips, and suddenly I was running like a kid through the beautiful streets of Brooklyn Heights—feeling like Loretta in Moonstruck—almost barefoot down Cranberry Street, lighter than air.
Note on New York’s Subway
Getting around New York might look easy—subway lines en veux-tu en voilà! It’s the largest transport system in North America, with more than 470 stations and trains running 24 hours a day. Fast, safe, and rarely interrupted, it really does go everywhere. But it also has its challenges… as we discovered after the US Open!
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le cocon familial = the family cocoon, the family nest
à ma grande surprise = to my great surprise
en veux-tu en voilà = as many as you could want, galore
le tchou-tchou = the choo-choo train sound
REMERCIEMENTS
Thank you to the following readers for your donation this past week to this journal!
Ann S.
Anne M.
Cyndi F.
Nancy P.
Ginger S.
Brenda J.
Laura I. & Jim A.
Whether you’ve been reading for years or just stumbled upon this little corner of France, thank you for being here. These stories continue thanks to reader encouragement. If you’d like to help maintain this journal, here are a few simple ways:
🌿 Zelle – to Kristin.espinasse@gmail.com
🌿 PayPal – Click here
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Gift the book A Year in a French Life to a friend. It’s packed with colorful photos and vocabulary.
KRISTI’S FRANCE TODAY LIVE INTERVIEW
A reminder about tonight’s France Today Live event where I’ll be in conversation with Sophie Gardner-Roberts.
If you’re not already a subscriber, France Today is offering you a free 30-day trial. Simply sign up for the trial, then register for the event using the links below:
- Start your free 30-day trial here: https://francetoday.com/30-day-trial-kristin-espinasse/
- Register for the event here: https://francetoday.com/france-today-live/in-conversation-with-author-kristin-espinasse/
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Hello, I am an American living in France for many years. I have been absorbed in the political situation in the US and the fascist takeover. I don’t read your posts every week but from time to time and although it is none of my business I sincerely hope that your daughter is not making a permanent move to the US. I apologise if my politics do not align with yours but my friends in the states are all looking for a safe exit.
Hi Loui, This wonderful and positive blog of Kristi’s is no place for negative WOKE political debate. No one cares about your hate for the USA. Happy to hear you are living in France and hope your friends don’t let the door hit them on their butts. 🙂
You are sadly misguided. This isn’t hate for the USA, it’s love of the Constitution
And aren’t you now doing the same? Making your “woke” remarks?
And aren’t you now doing just what you are criticizing another for by making your “woke” remark?
Photos are fine on my Apple phone. Question: is the commentary on Whats App different from the email posts?
Thanks for your feedback about the photo formatting. Yes, the commentary on my WhatsApp channel is different (or complimentary—as when I recently added more details regarding a photo at the blog). I hope you’ll give it a try.
Jackie – Binvenue à New York! Enjoying your additions to French Word-A-Day It\’s always a challenge to get home from crowded evening events. Last night, a friend and I attended Shakespeare in the Park at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater. At the end of the performance, about a doen people went East (where we live) and the rest of the audience headed West only because the theater is a bit closer to the West Side and from there took the cross-town bus East. That didn\’t make sense to us and while we\’re real New Yorkers, Central Park at night is, well, Central Park at night. We walked very, very, very fast until we got to Fifth Avenue, and then breathed a little easier. The subways are the fastest way to get around so enjoy them. Best wishes for your new chapters – personal and professional. Amicalement, Ruth
Jackie’s offerings are fantastic, too. If we weren’t told the author, I couldn’t guess. It’s a little confusing for me to bounce between Word-A-Day on the .com site and the What’s App option. The photos come out just fine on my phone. I absolutely loved Jackie’s photos on the U.S. Open blog. I think she & Vin have found true love!
Jackie, what a wonderful way to start life in New York! Even though jet-lagged your really pushed through. How wonderful to attend the U.S. open and all its charms. Seeing Alcaraz with not only his prowess but also his buzz cut was a plus!
I look forward to your future writings and stories about you, Vin and all your adventures! Of course, I always look forward to your mom’s posts as well.
Viva New York!
Laura
Laura J. Isenstein 210-274-9959 (cell)
Best wishes to Jackie for her new adventure living in New York. Sounds like it has already started. What a wonderful opportunity to see the U.S. Open live, and I’m glad the journey home was uneventful, even if long.
The photos looked fine
Photos look fine to me. Thanks for sharing your daughter’s life with all of us. It seems like we have known her for so many years.
David
There are no issues with photo formatting on my phone.
Carol
Jackie, I love reading your posts. You have some of your mother in your writing, but your voice is all your own… natural, expressive, never forced. I can see you and feel you so clearly in each vignette.
Jackie, I first met you at Rouge Bleu when you were riding a bike around the pool yard at the vineyard shortly after Blaise had her puppies. And now you are in love and in Brooklyn! I worked in downtown Brooklyn for 17 years at Brooklyn Law School. So you live on Cranberry Street? Such a wonderful neighborhood and so close to the subway at High Street/Brooklyn Bridge. There are so many terrific restaurants on Montague Street and walking up to the Promenade was one of my favorite lunchtime activities. I explored Cranberry Street, Pineapple Street, Clinton and the rest of Brooklyn Heights. Wait until you see how they decorate those Brownstones and Christmastime.
Have you discovered Sahadi’s Market on Atlantic Ave yet? Wonderful Mediterranean food stuff both prepared and for cooking at home. And a few blocks down there is a Vietnamese sandwich shop, a French restaurant and also a Montreal style smoked meat restaurant.
I watch the US Open for all of the 2 weeks and have been wondering what was in those Honeydew drinks! I am quite jealous. Enjoy the end of summer in NYC and you’ll love Autumn. Looking forward to your mom’s next post and wishing I could see your parents when I am back in Paris in mid-September for two weeks. I love Paris in Autumn.
How are you going with Jackie in NYC? A period of adjustment is normal and takes a while to happen. What a whirlwind for Jackie, who must still be trying to adjust to the new time zone. Since she is young, maybe that will happen more quickly for her. Love the photos, which are appearing in the normal size on my screen. Always wonderful hearing from both of you.
Hello Kristi! I do enjoy Jackie’s tales of NYC. The pictures come through in the right size/format. Merci beaucoup!
So glad you made it to the open–and Alcaraz!! yay. My husband & I went for many years every Labor Day for 4 days–we loved it–I watch it from home now and enjoy it and cheer all the same. Glad you had a fun ride going home–multiple experiences three.
I like it: 20th century American writes about France experience…21st century French Belle writes about American experience!!
Bravo!
Thank you for fixing the photo problem!
Cindy
No problems with the photos for me. Lovely as usual.
Kristi, I think the photo size is fine. They are of such good quality and composition that I enjoy a bigger photo (may have to do with my 67 year old eyesight)😉
You all have an artistic eye to capturing a place, a moment or beautiful scenery. Well done!
Robin
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg
How lovely this has become a mother-daughter project. I am so admiring that your daughter has what looks like native speaker fluency in two languages!
Love all
Pictures post fine for me. I like bigger pictures, I\’m old and have some eye issues so they are perfect. Love hearing about the kids. Amicalment, Pam Wing
Hey Kristi,I know I haven’t been very good
Photos are too large on desktop computer PC with Exchange email. But fine on iPhone.
The photos are a perfect size! I’m enjoying hearing from your daughter, along with her newest adventure. Wishing her the very best – in her new home
Dear Jackie, I have enjoyed your addition to your mom’s blog so very much.
You have the same wonderful way of lifting our spirits. I am so happy for you and Vin to share this next adventure together. And tennis, well, one of my very favorite sports!!
A bientot ,
Gail
Our dears Kristi and Jackie,
Jackie, you two are darling! All blessings as you begin this wonderful step in your lives!
We all( most especially,your family!) are so proud of you! You have inherited your dear mother’s talent for writing wonderful and interesting stories!
We look forward to reading any and all you share with us!
Dearest Kristi,we missed you and look forward to your return! But!What an incredible interview! You are so gifted,and today just showcased one more talent! BRAVO!! FELICITATIONS!! You knocked everyone’s socks off!! YAAAAY!!
SO proud of YOU too!
Arms tight around you all
Love
Natalia
Thank you, chère Natalia. I had planned to wave hello to you but then the camera began rolling and everything went so fast. Sophie is such a lovely interviewer. I felt so relaxed in her calming presence. Thank you very much for watching the interview and for your positive words. XOXO
No problema w photos or content on my cell.
Buena Suerte de Panama.
Long time reader, Erin
Nice intro to NYC. Yup, there are a whole lot of us. It got me remembering and laughing about a best buddy and I going to Yankee stadium in the Bronx, via train and subway. HUGE crowd at the end, flowing in the direction of the subway. We locked elbows together so we wouldn’t get separated. We’re both short … hoping we were in the right flow. We were and the baseball party continued on our way southbound. You have the advantage of a short trip. We did subway to Penn Station, then another hour on the LIRR. Good times but a very long day. Wonderful pix.
Welcome, Jackie! Love your writing and your mom’s. Wish you all the best!
Much happiness to you all.
Photos are coming out fine. Merci bien!!Sent from my iPhone
Your New York adventure started with quite an iconic event. Here’s to more happy races home to your Brooklyn nest with Vin … you both exude such joy! Loved your story, Jackie, and the great photos! 👏🌇💕
The photos look great, Kristi, and are not too large on my 27\” monitor.
Jackie, Enjoy New Yok and the adventures that await you. There are also many food choices to try. Thank you for sharing your visit to the US Open, as well as the photos of Vin.
Ah, haven’t we all felt like Loretta Castorini at some point in our lives! Lovely story! Eileen Burns
The pictures show up fine for me. I love that you and Jackie are sharing your blog. Looking forward to more French adventures mixed in with New York adventures.
Stay safe out in New York Jackie.
The photos are fine on my PC. How fun to read of all the adventures!
Jackie I am so envious. I am a huge tennis fan and I can’t believe you’re at the New York open. What a great experience.
I am going to be 78 in a month and still playing tennis. It’s the sport of a lifetime and a lifetime sport hope you get into it
Great photos, no issues with size and again, Jackie, you write so well. Your guy is cute!
Maria in Alabama
Iâm really enjoying the new blog form
The photos are large, but I ;Ike them that way! Bonne chance to Jackie settling into her new Life in Brooklyn. And, bon courage to Kristi, losing her daughter/pal to new adventures!
Looks like Brooklyn Heights where we lived in the early 1970s. Lovely.
Best way to get to and from the US Open is Long Island Railroad from either Penn Station or Grand Central Madison. Two stops. (But you do need the subway if you stay very late in the evening sessions.)
The photos are fine on my iPhone. Jackie has done a great job in her missives.
Jackie, you gave the gift of saying a lot with no unnecessary words. I’m so enjoying reading about your new life!
Best of luck with your new adventure, Jackie. But “adventure-ing” seems to be in your family’s DNA so I’m sure it will all go well.
Photos look great! And I finally figured out how to comment with my old signature vs whatever wild signature the system was giving me. Now to see if I can subscribe again the same way. Lately, I only known to read an article by seeing a new post on Instagram.
And Jackie, You will love NYC! I wish I still lived there, so you’d have a resident contact in the city. There is so much to see & do, and the neighborhoods each have their own sense of community. When the city is in full color this autumn, a visit to the Met Museum’s rooftop provides a lovely view over Central Park (and the rooftop seasonal cafe serves cappuccinos or wine).
PS I was confused on who they were who you wrote had the power in your story. And my little bit of big city advice would be to not be too distracted by mobile phone games on late night subway rides. NYC is much safer than many might think, but you always want to be aware of your surroundings.
Hi Kristi & Jackie! Photos are normal on my end.
As a reader from the beginning, I like the new setup. Our daughter’s family went the opposite direction. We are in New Mexico (USA) and our daughter is in Germany. We try to visit often, but miss them. I hope you have the opportunity to visit as well.
Another excellent writer in the family! Jackie, I enjoyed your post, and, while you take after your mom in writing talent, you look so much like your dad! God bless you in your new American adventures!