I once thought giving up alcohol would make dining out less enjoyable—how could I savor a meal without a glass of wine? But with so many delicious things to eat and to see, I don’t miss drinking. Just look at this charming pup and the inviting French menu. Life is full and vibrant on the other side. More in today’s story! TODAY’S WORD: LE TÉMOIGNAGE … Continue reading Temoignage: Why I don’t drink alcohol in France (or anywhere)
Une abeille, un papillon, et une cigale. A bee, a butterfly, and a cicada. Street decorations above La Rue des Poilus in La Ciotat Summer Reading: You might enjoy the book First French Essais, a collection of earlier episodes from this blog. The "essais" part is a play on words, which is explained in the chapter "Valorisant" about how I came to write this blog. … Continue reading “Mauviette”: Getting Old is Not for Sissies
Mom always said to take a new road each day, which is how I discovered this secret square in La Ciotat. Growing up, Jules also taught me to see things that are not as though they are. More in today’s missive “La Vie en Rose”. Expat in France (or anywhere outside the US) and need to file your taxes?Good news: you have an automatic extension … Continue reading Voir La Vie en Rose: Mom’s Secret to Facing Challenges
The sign reads "change of ownership". Today's story takes place in a town nearby: Ceyreste. FYI: The inhabitants are called "Ceyrestens" for men and "Ceyrestennes" for women. Are you an expat in France (or anywhere outside the US) and need to file your taxes?Good news: you have an automatic extension through June 17. I am using Expatfile again this year to complete mine quickly and … Continue reading Il devait en être ainsi: Meant to be (predestined) in French: A Chance Encounter with some Ceyrestens
The curtain is now opening on today's pièce: a feisty (and sentimental) mother-daughter story. My mom loved these circus curtains, seen on a recent walk together. Jules sewed our dresses when my sister and I were little, and these rideaux remind me of our visits to the fabric store. TODAY’S WORD: "Avoir du cran" : to have guts, grit, to be brave A … Continue reading Avoir du Cran (To be brave in French) + Mom and I get in a little fight & end up at the circus
Today, learn a tummy tuck trick my husband and I use on our morning walks. Passing by historic sites, such as the Eden Theatre–the oldest cinema in the world–is a helpful distraction as we do our "standing situps." Are you an Expat who needs to file your tax return? Don't sweat it! Get $20 off when you use Expatfile software to begin the simplified process. … Continue reading “Bidou”: A Do-It-Yourself Tummy Tuck in French (Bilingual Story)
Photo of Port des Capucines from my Instagram where I have been posting a daily photo and French word all week. Be sure to hit the follow button on my Instagram for the daily updates.Today's Word: décompresser : relax, chill, chill out Audio/Listening: Click the following link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in the following story. Then scroll down to the … Continue reading To chill or relax in French + allergy season in France
Random photo of a Faïence/earthenware shop in Moustiers Sainte-Marie. The picture is off-topic, but it's a lot prettier than a photo of "la grippe". Also, there is a picture of Mom and me in our pajamas at the end of this post, so if you don't usually click over to the full version of this letter, you might try to today 🙂 Today's Word: La … Continue reading Cloué au lit (Nailed to the bed): La grippe, les frissons
The sun gives us vitamin D… and magnesium and calcium are a few gifts from the sea. How do you get your RDA (or "AJR"*): from un comprimé or some other way? Read on for a healthy dose of French vocabulary…. Today's word: une cure : course of treatment, therapy Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in the … Continue reading The French Cure + vitamins and supplements + the expression “tant s’en faut” (find it in today’s story)
Our bustling port here in La Ciotat. Today we're talking about a word we share with the French. A tic is "a frequent usually unconscious quirk of behavior or speech" (Merriam-Webster). Read my story and then share your own experiences in the comments. Merci! TODAY’S WORD: une saccade : jerk, twitch (movement) saccader (verb): to tremble, shake, jerk A saccade is also a rapid movement … Continue reading Une saccade + Tic Talk: Let’s talk about tics (did you know “Tourettes” is named after a Frenchman?)
