Today, we say goodbye to a longtime reader, Lou, who also helped with a few harvests in his ninth decade of life! TODAY’S WORD: Repose en Paix : rest in peace A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse It is just after 6 a.m., and my husband is on his way out to harvest at a friend’s vineyard in Bandol. Ever since … Continue reading Repose en Paix: Signs, Wonders, and a Smile from Above
Following Jean-Marc's wine tour… lunch with Elizabeth’s family and friends at a hidden beach in Cassis. Left to right: Katie, Olivia, Victor, Kristi, Lily, Elizabeth, and Jean-Marc. For today's story, I asked Chatgpt to summarize the English text in one French word. Here's the response I got: "A word in French that summarizes your story could be "Éclat" which means "Radiance" or "Sparkle." It represents … Continue reading A Hidden Beach in Cassis, Freedom & Laughter = Eclats de rire!
If you were to visit Jean-Marc's wine shop, what would you buy? Tell us your favorite wine, drink, or boisson in the comments section. It could make for a lively thread! Today's Word: bredouille : empty-handed, unsuccessful Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear today's word + a dozen more vocabulary words. Next, scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your comprehension. Sound File, … Continue reading Name your favorite drink + What does the French “bredouille” mean in English? (Hint: it doesn’t mean ‘tipsy’)
This photo was taken on February 16th, at 3:21 p.m. in Sospel, France. Marveling at the heavenly ceiling and the mysteries beyond, I was unaware of a friend's passing on the very day. ADIEU, HERMI have been carefully collecting a list of interesting French words since the beginning of this month, in hopes of sharing them with you someday. I never imagined I would use … Continue reading Adieu to a beloved Poet + favorite French words, in honor of Herman Meyer
With this flower, called Love in a Mist, we shower the Glen family with our support. May today's words speak for all of us here–all who have followed Tanya's story of the search for her Mom. Missing for five days, Mary Glen was found Wednesday night, having passed away. le souvenir de temps heureux : the memory of happy times Lettre de Condoléances … Continue reading lettre de condoleances and a tribute to Mary Glen
A reader's Mom has gone missing. With your attention we may be able to help Tanya and her family reunite with their loved one, Mary Glen. Photo taken yesterday, after the sunflower harvest. The drying seeds, little messengers of hope, will soon be on their way to the Phoenix desert. Three French words and their meanings, just below: disparu / appel à témoins / avis … Continue reading A friend’s gone missing. Please help. disparu – appel à témoins – avis de recherche
"God is love," I would say. "Dog is love," Bill would suggest. Today, read about my invisible editor, who passed away suddenly. We didn't always agree, but otherwise got along grammar-warily. Photo of my dog Smokey and his mama, Brez. hommage (m) : tribute présenter ses hommages = to pay one's respectsen hommage de reconnaissance = as a token of gratitude Exclusive French … Continue reading hommage
Bon voyage, chère Mélo. If you only knew how much you meant to me–je te garderai dans mon coeur pour toujours. Our dear friend and fellow Francophile, Mélanie, passed away September 23rd after surviving 18 years with the neurodegenerative disease known as ALS. Melanie will be honored in a ceremony on Monday. In case, like me, you struggle to find words to comfort a family in … Continue reading reconfort: a farewell to a reader with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease
A Francophile might like this book cover, and a foodie or kid-at-heart might enjoy the content. Read the reviews for Fanny at Chez Panisse here. Meantime, learn about another panisse in today's column, a tribute to Gus Elison! Bonnes résolutions du Nouvel An : new year's resolutions Audio File: our son, Max, just woke up and I talked him into helping me record … Continue reading tribute to reader Gus + Bonnes résolutions du Nouvel An
Hats off to readers! Each chapeau represents the original character of those who read this blog-newsletter. Which hat are you? (I think I'm that gray one, upper right. Although, lately, I appreciate the two-tone blue one–needed sun protection!!–over there on the upper left). In today's story–meet a few of these unique personnages… and enjoy the unlikely story of their "retrouvailles"! Meet with Jean-Marc this month–in … Continue reading retrouvailles
