A warm bonjour from sunny La Ciotat. A mini update before we begin reading our chapter du jour. Today is Ana’s 30th birthday: Joyeux anniversaire, chère Ana. Also, Jean-Marc and his sister are about to begin this year’s “carénage” (sanding and repainting of our old wooden boat). I’m about to head off to the gym after editing this post. Enjoy the pictures that accompany Jackie’s story today, along with extra photos from our recent visit together. Read to the end for special news!
Ciao for now, Kristi
TODAY’S WORD: racine : root; origin
PRONUNCIATION: [rah-seen]
EXAMPLE SENTENCE:
En caressant la surface lisse du savon, j’ai pensé à quel point ces souvenirs faisaient partie de mon quotidien. Ils formaient mes racines.
Running my hand along the smooth surface of the soap, I thought about how these souvenirs used to be part of my everyday life. They made up my roots.
Back to Bagels…for now! By Jacqueline Espinasse
No need to summarize my trip to France, Mom already summed it up pretty well. What am I supposed to write about now, Mom?
On the morning of our flight, the clouds appeared for the first time. Quelle chance. We had such fabulous weather for the entire two weeks.
We left for the airport at sunrise to avoid traffic in Marseille. Dad was happy to drive us, on condition that we hit the road early. After checking a bag that was loaded with ten bottles of wine (no need to mention why), it was time to pass security, and after that there was this little shopping mall we had to walk through to get to our gate. All the Provençal products were on display: Savon de Marseille, foie gras, huile d’olive, lavender sachets. And of course, the famous bottle of Ricard, standing in a pyramid of its own bottles.
We had to get some pastis for our apartment, so we did. And at that very moment, I realized I’ve become more American than French—standing there, oddly excited by all these things I grew up with, yet nostalgic because this isn’t my life anymore. Why did these objects—once so ordinary—suddenly feel so important?
Running my hand along the smooth surface of the soap, I thought about how these souvenirs used to be part of my everyday life. Ils formaient mes racines.
Le Savon de Marseille, for example, serves many purposes: mostly for Mom to get stains out of clothes (when Dad’s not refilling their shampoo bottle with it! Watch out, Mom!). Foie gras was for Christmas dinners in the little village of Pourrières in Provence, after opening our presents. Olive oil was the only oil we ever cooked with, since French people use it for almost everything—and only a couple of weeks ago did I learn it’s not the only option. Lavender sachets were tucked between my folded clothes and sheets in my grandmother’s armoire. And Ricard… that was at 8 p.m. with Dad, in front of “Les Guignols de l’Info”, a TV show with funny-looking puppets talking politics. Dad would only let us smell his drink, maybe sometimes, just a tiny sip. Chut !
Waking up the next day in the city, the first thing Vin did was get a bagel at the closest deli. That’s his home. His bagel is my foie gras, in a way.
The garden in front of our window is covered in rose petals from its cherry blossom trees. It created a pink carpet, brightening our arrival. The trees are blooming green, and the tulips are more vibrant than ever. I am happy to be home—though part of me is still standing in that airport shop, somewhere between two lives.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
la racine = root; origin
Quelle chance = what luck
le Savon de Marseille = traditional French olive oil soap
le foie gras = fattened duck or goose liver
l’huile d’olive = olive oil
le Ricard = a brand of anise-flavored pastis
le pastis = an anise-flavored aperitif
les racines = roots
l’armoire = wardrobe; cupboard
les Guignols de l’Info = a satirical French puppet TV show
Chut = shh
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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That’s all for now. Off to the gym! My new mantra is Work out now. Worry Later. (And by the time I’m done pumping iron I’ve forgotten my worries 💪🏻). Thank you very much for reading our stories. Wishing you all une très bonne journée. See you next week!
Amicalement,
Kristi
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Hi Kristi and Jackie,
Great story and love all the photos!
Eileen
What a meaningful post by both mom and daughter. Thank you! Jackie, I love your insightful Eid-pictures about living in two worlds. The joy yet nostalgic sadness of the savons! So perfectly said. The more years we get, the more meaningful all the ‘little things’ become. Jackie and Kristi you make a fun ‘tag-team’. Pat W (Oregon)
How in the world do I get my name instead of the ‘tenacious . . . When I reply? So strange. Pat (Oregon) again
Our dears Kristi and Jackie,
What a(nother)wonderful post and gorgeous pictures! Joyeux anniversaire Ana et felecitations Revie!
Your words are such a happy balm on a hectic day,ever reminding us to take time to just enjoy(!)– and thanks, dear to Kristi,another inspiring reminder to “don’t forget your exercises Natalia!”(merci, mes cheres!)
What a gift to be a part of your lives,and,always,have you in ours.
Blessings always
Arms tight around you all
Love
Natalua
I never leave comments, but this is such a coincidence. Our grandson will be entering Leeds Business School in Boulder this coming semester!
We have read your posts for many years, and would love to meet you in person. We will be in St Remy de Provence next week. Feel free to contact me if you wouldn’t mind meeting two fans of your wonderful stories of life in France.
What a sweet, poignant story of being poised between two lives. I truly enjoyed it. And the photos are wonderful. What a beautiful group!
Bonjour Jackie & Kristin: Once again, a wonderful feeling of being with all of you from the restaurants, the museum, the airplane, the delicious bagel to your lovely blooming flowers in Brooklyn. My husband & I were just discussing the value of memories, both pleasant & not so pleasant. Our moments go so quickly; so happy that you are all able to get together in any way possible to create your moments for yourselves & your readers. Merci beaucoup to both of you. Hope your adorable doorstop keeps working! Amicalmente(?) Ann
I love these weekly reflections. I look forward to them each week. Thank you ❤️
Love hearing about all your adventures during your daughter’s homecoming! Please tell Jackie to stay away from using those other oils. Olive oil and perhaps avocado oil ( due to its higher smoke point) are so much healthier! Do you folks in France have to cope with all that nasty fructose corn syrup in your foods??
Hi Martha,
France sure has all the cooking oils. I do think our culture disciplines us to use the healthier choices. And also we has lot’s of olives trees to harvest !
Thanks for another lovely story. Does A.N.A. have a middle name? Her last name is not Garcia like the person in the office where I have housing, right?
🎂Many happy returns of the day, Ana! and Happy Mother’s Day to all the lovely ladies, so deservedly celebrating.
The pink carpet of petals will 🌸 shower Jackie and Vin 🌸 wherever they go, on both sides of the Big Pond, double blessings to savor, just like Mom Kristi’s.
From one of your latest posts, is your mom failing somewhat healthwise? I hope not but so sorry if that is so. I am about her same age but doing fine. I do enjoy reading your posts and hearing all about your life in France. Best wishes!
Dear Merleminda, thank you for asking. Grandma is doing better than ever ! The other day, I saw her lifting up a heavy garden chair to move in the shade.