Look up! Surround yourself with color! (Two ways to combat the blues.) Picture of a "decorated" clothesline taken in Cassis. TODAY’S WORD: à fleur de peau : hypersensitive : on/under the surface of the skin A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I woke up this morning with a tinge of the blues. In French, they call it … Continue reading A Fleur de Peau, Le Cafard, and The Blues
The heatwave, my book project, and spoiled for choice in today's update. A lot of ice cream to choose from = l'embarras du choix. Pictured in La Ciotat: one (of many) ice cream vendors in our seaside town. TODAY’S WORD: L'Embarras du Choix : spoiled for choice avoir l'embarras du choix (to have "the embarrassment of choice") = to be indecisive in a … Continue reading l’Embarras du Choix: Surrender and “an embarrassment of choices”
HELP CHOOSE A BOOK COVERI'm excited to share the cover designs for my upcoming book. Please take a close look and let me know which numbered cover you prefer: comment via this link. Thank you for your feedback and don't miss today's story, just below. (Cover designs by Monica at TLC Book Design) Or go directly to the poll page, where you will see the … Continue reading A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE (Help Choose The Book Cover)
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At Château la Tour de L'Evêque, in Pierrefeu du Var TODAY'S WORD: UN AUXILIAIRE DE VIE : a caregiver A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse When I stop to think about it, July has been the most challenging month of this year so far. Though it began with excellent news (Mom’s insurance came through!) and the joy of our 30th … Continue reading Caregiver in French: Un Auxiliaire de Vie
While this weekly chronique is on break, I’m celebrating a meaningful anniversary. More in this story published recently in France Today magazine. TODAY’S WORD: POMPETTE "Pompette" is a colloquial French term that refers to a state of mild intoxication or tipsiness, rather than being fully drunk. It's often used to describe someone who has consumed alcohol and is slightly under the influence. THE DANCE OF … Continue reading Pompette: French for “tipsy” or “mildly drunk”
Vroom! A zippy reminder this blog is on congé, or break. See you in two weeks. Enjoy a few cartes postales from La Ciotat until this Ciotadenne returns…. REMERCIEMENTS/ACKNOWLEDGMENTSMany thanks to the following readers who recently sent in a blog donation during my congé. Your support means a lot! Julie S.Karen F. Betty M.Janice H. Glad to do it. I love your site. Keep it up, please. … Continue reading Congé: A word for when you take a break from work/business
Punaise! When I heard about the bed bug epidemic in Paris, I almost canceled plans to see my best friend. I’m so glad I didn’t let those punaise reports destroy this joyful reunion. TODAY'S WORD: Punaise! : Darn! Oh no! Oh dear! Punaise also means bug or “bed bug”. The exclamation may have been born of the horror of seeing the crawly creatures, i.e. … Continue reading Punaise! Our Hotel in Paris had a little bug (and not the kind you’re thinking)….
Returning to work or to school or real life demands after summer break? France wishes you Bonne rentrée. Some lucky dogs are still in vacation mode, though. Photo taken in Cannes, where Jackie and I stopped after Villefranche. In the following story from the archives, Jackie is 16 and on her way back to school…. Le temps vole! Be sure to read to the end … Continue reading Bonne rentrée: Happy return to work or school (or a new fall season)
Some self-published books from when I began the blog. Words in a French Life was then published by Simon & Schuster If you are new to my blog, the following books and stories will help you get to know the characters in this ongoing memoir that began in 2002. You’ll also learn hundreds of useful and fun French words as you catch up on the … Continue reading Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France
