avoir les chocottes

Smokey takes a thoughtful pause (from blowing bubbles in the brook…) to contemplate nature and the history of the fleur de lys *** read more at the end of this edition. Update on Jean-Marc: We are still waiting for the kidney biopsy results. Meantime, read about how we are passing the time, in the following story…  We have very good news: all is OK! The nurse called to … Continue reading avoir les chocottes

epingle a cheveux

 Jean-Marc and the Ionian sea in Sicily… where the saline breeze draws you to the salty waters, pleadingly.  épingle à cheveux (ay pehngl ah sheuh veuh) n.f.     hairpin bend (road, path); switchback Audio: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French words: Download MP3 file Le chemin de terre qui mène vers la mer descend en épingle à cheveux.The dirt path that leads to the sea descends (in … Continue reading epingle a cheveux

peur bleue

The French have a colorful word for what we scaredy cats feel. Read on. Photo of Italian door taken in Aciereale, Sicily. Get out and take some photos or keep a point and shoot camera on hand, at all times, and never miss a shot! une peur bleue (per bleuh)     : a morbid fear  (also, in French expressions including color, see "l'heure bleu")       .Audio … Continue reading peur bleue

aile

Expressions:
avoir du plomb dans l’aile = to be hard hit
prendre sous son aile = to take under one’s wing
avoir un coup dans l’aile = to have had ‘one too many’
voler de ses propres ailes = to stand on one’s own feet
battre de l’aile = to not be going very well (relationship)
Audio File
Hear the word aile pronounced: Download aile.wav
Citation du Jour:
L’homme qui n’a pas d’imagination n’a pas d’ailes.
The man who has no imagination has no wings. –Mohammed Ali
Continue reading aile