TODAY’S WORD: tout doux : gently; easy now; softly
PRONUNCIATION: [too doo]
TOUT DOUX, LE LOUP by Jacqueline Espinasse
I wanted to follow up on my two-week “cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne” challenge. Well… c’était pas trop la bonne. The Great Gatsby wasn’t so great after two chapters.
So, while walking through Prospect Park, I called my mom—my guru, and the only person I trust in the writing world.
“I don’t think I like the book. He’s describing every inch of the rooms and characters—c’est chiant.”
Mom sympathized, “If you don’t like it, don’t spend another second on it. Your time is precious. Besides, it may not be your kind of story. You’re into autobiography lately.”
Mom was right on both points. Why would I torture myself and finish this so-called “page turner.” Poor Vinny though—he chose it for our first book club. Sorry, Chouchou.
So much for my update. Now onto today’s micro chapter… my actual job.
I don’t write too much about mon gagne-pain. I started seven months ago as an art teacher in a French preschool in Brooklyn. It’s truly the most rewarding profession I’ve experienced so far, and also the most humbling one. What can you possibly reply to a two-year-old when he tells you, pointing straight to your face, “I’m going to beat you”?
“Tout doux, le loup !”
It’s now March, almost toward the end of the year. I’ve witnessed first steps, first words, and the evolution of their education throughout the year. Also, lots of hugs, and a wonderful, supportive community of knowledgeable teachers.
New York is such a children’s city. I see them everywhere. Me, who always thought it was a place for grown-ups, full of dreams only.
Before heading to work, I take five minutes to lie down on my couch, close my eyes, and just be still. I try to slip into the feeling of my younger self, to meet that child again. It’s the only way I know how to truly understand and empathize with the children I work with.
And maybe, I think, I could try the same approach with myself. Tout doux, le loup.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
mon travail = my job
cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne = this time, it’s the right one
c’était pas trop la bonne = it wasn’t really the right one
c’est chiant = it’s annoying / a pain
chouchou = a term of endearment (my love)
mon gagne-pain = my livelihood / what I do for a living
tout doux, le loup = easy now, little wolf / gentle, little wolf
REMERCIEMENTS
Thank you to the following readers for your donation this past week to this journal!
Ellen H.
Margot S.
Patty C.
Douglas R.
Suzanne D.
Caroline J.
Kathleen C.
AU REVOIR CHRIS ALLIN 💗
I am so sad to share that Chris Allin (pictured left, with her husband George) passed away this past week, just two years after George, and only days after our dear Fred.
Chris was a longtime reader of my journal and often left thoughtful comments in the box below. Gentle, encouraging, and protective, she was a central member of our French Word-A-Day family.
I will miss her so very much.
When another dear reader, Herm, passed away, Chris wrote: “A light did not go out when Herm left this world but moved to the night sky, where it must be twinkling brightly.” ✨
I like to think the same is true for Chris.
My thoughts are with her lovely daughters, Jessica and Adrienne, and with Jessica’s husband, Jamie.
I mentioned Chris was protective—not only of her family. This gentle reader quietly chased away a few trolls from the comments section before slipping back into the audience.
She was there when I didn’t have the words.
Merci, notre chère amie, Chris. 💕
I trust there are many more “Chrises” gently reading along—who may never have commented on a post, yet are every bit a part of this family. In many ways, Chris represented everyone of you. 💕
Chris received so much love and joy from Millie, her “grandpup.” Thank you, chère Chris and family, for all the love and joy you’ve shared. Take care. 🩷
Dear French Word-a-Day family,
Thank you very much for reading our journal, Jackie’s and mine. Thanks to my daughter, I’ve come away from today’s story with a new phrase to say whenever someone acts up—whether a stranger, friend, or family member (or even our own self): we might all respond lovingly: “Tout doux, le loup.” “Easy now, Little Wolf.”
Be sure to carry the phrase with you. Tuck it in your pocket, Tout doux, le loup, as you go gently through this day.
Remember not to let those ogres (whether people or thoughts) get to you.
The next journal goes out in two weeks, after a break. Take good care.
—Kristi
EDITS WELCOME
If you spot a typo, mistake, or ambiguity, thank you for letting me know at Kristin.espinasse@gmail.com
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What a wonderful story must be being told on that marker board!! Lots of love to you and yours, to Chris’ and hers. Sounds like you’re going through a tough time. The statement about their light moving to the night sky is beautiful, and i’ll think of that as well.
XO
Lovely memories of your dear friend. So sorry she is gone…but never forgotten. Now you and I are d’acord about Gatsby. Read it LONG ago and then tried again after 50 years. ARGGGGGH……no way, Jose. Read The Correspondent…you will LOVE it.
Lovely post. Merci. Yes, a wonderful reminder to be gentle with ourselves and the world. Condolences on tge loss of another dear friend.
Beautiful post. And so very sorry for your losses. I am now adding “tout doux, le loup” to French phrases to newly employ. Just saying it feels calming —
Merci.
PS I haven’t posted before, but was happy to, today. Last year, I did buy your book, and I formerly — j’ai fait ma retraite—used the website for teaching my middle school students in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
What a lovely tribute to Chris. Thank you for sharing this about a fellow reader. And Jacqueline’s phrase tout doux, le loup I will take with me throughout the day. The timing was perfect.
Charming and heartfelt post
My six year old grandson pointed up to a tree full of chattering birds and asked, “Are they having a meeting?” Children are wonderful ❤️
Bonjour, mon amis Kristi et Jackie: I read your e-mail today with a combination of optimism, sadness & joy. The optimism is for the love that you, Jackie, are displaying for your little cherubs. Your teaching will certainly leave a lasting effect on them for years to come. The sadness is, of course, for the death of your dear reader & friend. How wonderful, though, to have had such a presence in your life. Certainly, she will be missed. In my own life, yesterday, my dear sister started her own journey. She was 97; but, her spirit never quit. Hopefully, she will meet some francophiles in her travels. As for the joy, I am grateful that you share your thoughts & insights with us. We don’t usually know how to be gentle with ourselves; it’s a task that needs to be worked on. I always look forward to your news. May you both have a pleasant day. A biento, Ann
Dear Ann, My heart goes out to you for the loss of your dear sister. I love how you see this as a journey, with friends to meet along her travels. It is comforting to think about the afterlife this way. Sending much love.
Jackie, so important to put a book down if it is not for you. So many other books to discover! Now, you will be able to discover spring in NYC as the winter and cold fade away.
Kristi, I am sorry for your loss. There is a community between us, your readers, and you, and it is very special. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.
Our dears Kristi and Jackie,
You two wonderful and beautiful women always fill us with words that just wrap themselves around our hearts.
Dear Jackie,it’s a joy to watch you keep blooming and growing as you embrace your way along your life’s path!
Dearest Kristi,my heart aches for the loss of our Chris.She was such a part of these posts ,her wisdom always giving us inspiration.I never had the privilege of meeting her personally yet I will miss her dear presence. My one comfort to share is another angel has been given wings,and without doubt she will be keeping watch on all of us.
Blessings always
Our arms are around you tight.
Love
Natalia. Xo
Could tout doux, le loup be the origin of English toodle-oo/toodle-loo?
Wow! I would love to know. This idea makes me fall deeper in love with English & French!
To Kristi, my sympathy on the loss of your long-time friend. Cherish the memories!
To Jackie, I found the White Mountain Bulgarian Yogurt. It’s excellent! My new go-to yogurt 🙂
Sue
That photo of Jackie teaching French with a story on a white board – that is pure comprehensible input à la my friend and language teacher Alice Ayel (aliceayel.com). If anyone wants to advance in their French, they should check out her website
Don’t worry about not liking the novel that the book club has chosen. That’s part of the book club discussion…not everyone loves the same books, but it’s fun to listen to what others have to say about them.
Of all your wise readers, Chris stood out. I will miss reading her sage offerings on so many topics. Deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Jackie is also wise and wonderful, just like her Mom. Enjoying all her posts, her honesty, and her creative spirit. The world is better with the Espinasse women in it, and, of course, beautiful Jules adds just the right comment to complement any story, the queen of gentle wisdom.