Category: hope

hope

Trépidant: French for hectic + Things we can’t control….

The sea and coastline, or littoral, in La Ciotat, France TODAY'S WORD: TRÉPIDANT     : frantic, hectic, chaotic, turbulent    : exciting, thrilling, exhilaratingA DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Out on a morning walk with Izzy The Pocket Beagle, my mind jumps from thought to unrelated thought: Does organic milk have growth hormones? Do readers unsubscribe when I write about non-French-related … Continue reading Trépidant: French for hectic + Things we can’t control….

Kristin Espinasse33 Comments
hope, inspiration, Positive Thinking

Two Most important French words of the Year from the Champs Elysées

In this reflective piece, Kristi Espinasse shares wishes for the New Year, emphasizing the importance of love (amour) and peace (paix) as conveyed by the Parisian crowd during celebrations. The author considers personal growth, seeking meaningful words for 2023, including “patience” and “gratitude,” while expressing a desire to move away from negativity. Through scripture, she highlights love as a powerful force that promotes forgiveness and connection. The piece ends with a heartful encouragement to forgive oneself and others, focusing on love as the guiding principle for the year ahead, encapsulating the spirit of hope and resilience. Continue reading Two Most important French words of the Year from the Champs Elysées

Kristin Espinasse31 Comments
Bilingual Story, Encouragement, hope, inspiration

Rien qu’aujourd’hui (Only for Today): A “How To” for difficult times

During 10 challenging years at two vineyards (before moving to this peaceful, postage-stamp garden where our wine memoir is underway), I kept a copy of today's mind-centering thoughts in my purse. In uncertain times, such words may be helpful to you, to your family, or to your friends.ONLY FOR TODAY…RIEN QU'AUJOURD'HUIOnly for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to … Continue reading Rien qu’aujourd’hui (Only for Today): A “How To” for difficult times

Kristin Espinasse41 Comments
Encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jackie

Desiderata Poem in French and English: Lifechanging Words

Our 16-year-old set out, yesterday, on a 24-hr voyage. Alone, she flew from Nice to London, then London to Dallas, and on to Denver. Unsure of what to say to my daughter before she left, I slipped the following poem into her travel bag. Photo taken at the Vieux Port in Marseilles, on break from her internship at a couturier's.   "D E S I D … Continue reading Desiderata Poem in French and English: Lifechanging Words

Kristin Espinasse130 Comments
heebeegeebees, hope, Italy, Sicily

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

26 Comments
hope, Religion in France

A Saint in a “Niche”

The fixer-upper where we are fixing to move to. The glass is shattered, the dream intact. une niche (neesh) noun, feminine   1. alcove, nook, recess; kennel, doghouse  2. trick, prank, hoax La vertu, comme le corbeau, niche dans les ruines.Virtue, like the raven, nests in ruins. –Anatole France.                                                … Continue reading A Saint in a “Niche”

Kristin EspinasseLeave a comment
Birds, hope

envie

Hâte-toi de bien vivre… Make haste to live and consider each day a life… Seneca Envie (ahn-vee) noun, feminine longing . I was staring at the empty branches of our dogwood tree,willing its wooden limbs to quiver and send forth so many rosy blossoms, when I recognized a vague longing coming from within. I stood up and walked over to the north window,threw open the painted … Continue reading envie

Kristin Espinasse22 Comments
Book Publishing, Following One's Dream, hope, Publish A Book in 21 Days Challenge, Story Selections, Writing

espoir

                                 Christmastime in Valbonne. Espoir (es-pwar) noun, masculine hope   The following letter is an intimate look into la naissance of a certain "thrice-weekly" journal from France. This online blog began in October of 2002 following its earlier pen-and-paper beginnings—as letters that were sent via snail mail to a group … Continue reading espoir

Kristin Espinasse64 Comments