UNE DURE À CUIRE
une dure à cuire (ewn dewr ah kweer)
: a tough cookie; a tough woman
“Je suis une dure à cuire,” a dit Maman après sa mésaventure.
“I’m a toughy,” Mom said after her mishap.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
I wasn’t sure whether the scream was real or part of a dream. Then I heard Mom calling for help. I jumped out of bed and hurried downstairs. As I neared the landing, she called out again. “I have a little problem…”
Her casual tone reassured me. I slowed for the last few steps and opened the bedroom door, completely unprepared for what I saw.
A giant board lay across the bed. Mom was nowhere in sight.
For a moment, my brain couldn’t make sense of the scene. Then I realized the “board” was the eight-foot mirror that had stood against the wall. It had fallen across the mattress—and Mom was trapped beneath it.
“Mom! Oh, Mom!!”
I climbed onto the bed and heaved at the mirror. It began to rise as Mom pushed from underneath. Once she was free, I leaned it back against the wall and wedged a chair in front of it.
Years ago, we’d salvaged that enormous mirror from an old closet. I had a photo of 19-year-old Jackie posing in front of it wearing the cool imperméable she’d made at design school. Now I could hardly bear to look at the mirror.
Mom sat up in her silk robe and assured me she was all right. “It’s a good thing you and Jean-Marc were here,” she said with a smile.
The thought of what might have happened if we hadn’t been there made me lightheaded. Then came a wave of nausea. I sat down on the bed, trying to steady myself, while Mom—the one who had just been pinned beneath a mirror—told me to take a breath.
I went over the possible scenario: Mom had surely gotten up in the dark to go to the bathroom. Disoriented, she’d reached for what she thought was the door. Instead, it was the mirror. When she began pulling on the frame… (I couldn’t bear to picture that massive mirror falling forward, taking Mom with it.)
“Thank goodness the bed was there,” she said. Ricci agreed and scooted in closer to lick her hand, first dropping the teddy bear she’d carried over to Mom.
I lay beside Mom and held her other hand. “We’ve got to get rid of that mirror.”
“No, leave it. This is what we call an accident.”
For now, the large chair between bed and mirror prevented any further missteps. I moved the teddy bear, setting it in the chair, and looked Mom over once more for cuts or bumps. Would bruises appear later?
“I’m a toughy,” Mom said, making light of it.
Toughy is a word I often use for Jackie. Now I see where she gets it: her indomitable grand-mère Jules.
In French, you might call Mom une dure à cuire—someone who can take a lot and keep going. Jackie has that strength too. And both have un cœur tendre.
Noticing the wayward vine that had once graced the mirror, I picked it up and placed it on my head like a crown, showing Mom how she had looked when she emerged from beneath it.
“Did I really have that on my head?” she asked, laughing.
“Well, not exactly.”
No use going over the whole mésaventure again. Once was enough.
Post Note: That mirror now has quite a barricade in front of it: Jean-Marc received a shipment of wine bottles and found just the place for them—in the bedroom! The chair and teddy bear are still standing guard.
Who is the dure à cuire in your life? I’d love to hear about your tough cookie with a tender heart in the comments.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
une dure à cuire = a tough cookie; a tough woman
un imperméable = a raincoat
une grand-mère = a grandmother
un cœur tendre = a tender heart
une mésaventure = a mishap; a misadventure
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Lovely story of your very tough mom…give her a hug from me.
Thank goodness your Mom was unharmed! A miracle!
My 98 and a half (yes, I count half years now!) year old Mom is a tough cookie! Still living on her own after taking care of my Dad and his dementia for a decade before he passed away. While she relies on me-10 minutes down the road-for a lot, her mind and memory are sharp. She still enjoys life a lot!
Great story! Reminded me of when I was taking a nap at my grandparents at age 5 when the mirror, one that was connected to the entire wall, came crashing down on me. I was unhurt.
Jules is a real trouper! So glad she was unhurt and remained in good spirits despite the accident. Attitude makes so much of a difference in our lives and she seems to continue to be positive. What a good role model for all of us. Life sends many difficulties but remaining resilient and willing to carry on is what counts in the long term. How blessed she was that you were there to help her and how fortunate the mirror didn’t shatter. The angels are protecting all of you.
What a relief that she is OK! That must have been terrifying to find her under the mirror!
I always carry a flashlight now when I get up in the dark. That was after my fall in the bedroom at night when I broke my shoulder.
Maybe the mirror can be hung on the wall? Maybe it’s too heavy
Thank you for sharing with us.
Our dear Kristi,
We can only thank God that Jules was/is okay and that you were home! A dure cuire indeed! Both of you lovely,lovely ladies! Dear Kristi, this post is( again!) so beautifully written that when I finished reading these events I I could only sigh with relief! I believe today is The Celebration of Guardian Angels, and be sure I will absolutely be celebrating with them in appreciation for watching over our precious Jules!
Blessings always mes cheres.
Arms around you tight.
Love
Natalia. XO
OH, MY COD, as my kitty would say!!!! Your poor maman…incredible that she is so amazingly cool about this and wants YOU to breathe….
SO glad Jule is all right. Wow…I am still shaking….
Love mussels!!
Love Jackie’s imperméable! Can’t believe she made it!
Love Ricci’s pink outfit! Very appropriate for October! Wear pink in October!!
Kristi,
Does your mirror have a screws and a hook on either side of the back, about halfway down?
If so, attach hooks on either side of the wall behind the mirror and thread a wire through them to attach to the mirror.
If not, have Jean-Marc go to a hardware store and get screws, hooks, and a wire, explaining that he wants to hang a heavy mirror.
It shouldn’t be hard to do, and then you won’t have bulky and breakable objects blocking part of the mirror and taking up space in the room.
Good luck!
Your posts have brought me joy for years. They’re so humble and real. Thank you!
And thank God Jules wasn’t hurt- une dure cuire indeed! Maybe motion lights would help her see better at night. We use them for my 103 year old mom (after she fell) and they’re a game changer! Merci encore!
Love the Teddy Bear on the chair and so glad your mom is okay!
Mon Dieu! Angels abound in your house, so maybe one of them can place a small flashlight on Mom’s night table. Be safe, Jules. We adore you and wish you well always! 🙏
Oh My! So glad Jules is okay. That certainly could have been worse. Give her my love and hugs. xoxo